Star of Hope

Overcoming stage fright can sometimes be more challenging for these individuals than for others. However, perhaps more than anyone else, such performances give them faith in themselves...

Overcoming stage fright can sometimes be more challenging for these individuals than for others. However, perhaps more than anyone else, such performances give them faith in themselves... For the seventh time, people with disabilities were brought together by the interregional creativity festival "Zorka Nadzei" (Star of Hope).

In the foyer of the RDK, guests were greeted by an exhibition of decorative and applied arts. A cross-stitched diptych with horses, beaded flowers, and crocheted openwork napkins – all this beauty was created by the festival participants: the day care department of the Territorial Centre for Social Services, district organisations of the Belarusian Association of the Visually Impaired, and the Belarusian Association of Disabled Persons. Crafts by the youngest participants – the art studio "Druzhba" (Friendship) of the Centre for Correctional and Developmental Education and Rehabilitation – were displayed on a separate table. While the performers were backstage, the audience participated in a no-lose lottery, with prizes being souvenirs made by disabled individuals.

"Suddenly, as if in a fairy tale, the door creaked open" – to this well-known song, the exemplary dance ensemble "Lileya" (Lily) opened the concert. And then began a kaleidoscope of talents – poets, bards, singers… and even actors, laureates of regional competitions, and debutants. No wonder – over 40 participants. Among the guests was the Medvedev family, representatives of the Belarusian Association of Disabled Persons from Ushachi. Sergey performed songs with his own music, and his wife Lyudmila recited the humorous sketch "Victim of Experiments".

Sergey Osovsky and Raisa Demko sang, accompanying themselves. And to the violin of Oleg Dymman, Sofia Nesteruk, a participant of the literary and music club "Vytok" (Source), read original poems. By the way, there was also a place for the anecdotes of Kondrat Krapiva at this festival.

The day care department for disabled persons presented a theatrical performance "Kolobok. The Return" based on a folk tale. For the "Kolobok" group, whose leader is Darya Golubkova, this "Zorka Nadzei" is their first performance on a big stage. Another group also debuted – the ensemble "Myatlitsa" (Cornflower), created at the same department. Its main members are visually impaired people. The folk songs of these artists match their national costumes.

Among the performers are those who have already showcased their talents to a wide audience. For instance, Denis Oblovshko is a regular participant not only in district but also in regional competitions. Recently, this young man, who has gained a reputation as the local "Stas Mikhailov," became a laureate of the regional festival "In the Circle of Friends."

Nikolai Nikitin, Deputy Chairman of the District Executive Committee, who presented the participants of the festival with certificates and gifts, noted that the issue of people with disabilities only began to be discussed in the early 1990s. The first integrated education classes appeared in Lepel, a centre for correctional and developmental education was opened, and a day care department for disabled individuals was established. Today, there are over a thousand people with disabilities in the district, and among them are many talented and extraordinary individuals. While some things are difficult, they possess a strong desire to live, to strive, and to achieve great things.

"Zorka Nadezhdy" (Star of Hope), as noted by Olga Sokolovskaya, Chairperson of the Lepel District Organisation of the public association Belarusian Association of the Visually Impaired, instils self-belief and, however cliché it may sound, hope. The number of participants increases every year. It is very important that such individuals do not withdraw into themselves and have the opportunity to showcase their talents. For example, Sergey Martynovich, a visually impaired person of the second group, is a skilled photographer; Nadezhda Shaitor crafts items from beads; there is a young woman who learned to speak late and struggled to recite entire poems, yet was eager to perform. She practiced and rehearsed diligently. At the first festivals, she started with just four lines. Now, she recites lengthy works. She graduated from Polotsk College and is employed.

People with disabilities do not need pity. Attention and involvement in their lives are most valuable, and "Zorka Nadezhdy" serves as a testament to this.

Ekaterina OSOVSKAYA
In the photo: Nikolai Nikitin presents certificates to guests from Ushachi.
Photo by the author.