Opinions & Interviews

Petrishenko: Belarusian Written Language Day highlights native language, culture

Igor Petrishenko

BELYNICHI, 26 August (BelTA) - The Belarusian Written Language Day draws us to the origins of our native language and culture, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko, who also heads the organizing committee for the festival, told the media, BelTA has learned.

“The Belarusian Written Language Day draws us to the origins of our native language and culture. Our compatriot Francysk Skaryna published the first book in the Belarusian language. This is our history and heritage, of which we are proud,” Igor Petrishenko said. “The festival popularizes the Belarusian language among people. There are two state languages in our country and they are both important for us.”

According to the deputy prime minister, writers from Belarus and neighboring nearest countries attend the festival which is hosted by different towns every year. This holiday is a great discussion platform, where writers and cultural figures of different countries exchange experiences, view on new and interesting ways of further development. Belarusian writers continue to create interesting works that are interesting  for both adults and young people not only in Belarus but also abroad. On the part of the state, our creative intelligentsia gets substantial support,” Igor Petrishenko noted.

Mogilev Oblast is hosting the national holiday for the fourth time. Belynichi, this year’s host of the festival, has been gearing up for the the event since 2019. Squares and central streets have been spruced up, the park landscaped, and the building of the Byalynitsky-Birulya local art museum renovated. According to Chairman of the Belynichi District Executive Committee Vasily Zakharenko, the town is almost ready to host the festival.

“The main venues are almost ready,” he reported. "Now we are putting finishing touches. It is great that towns that host this festival on a rotating basis get a makeover in the run-up. Belynichi has recently been given a facelift. The housing stock has been fixed and modernized , the engineering networks upgraded, roads improved, yards and surrounding areas tidied up. The building of the museum has been completely renovated, with only the foundation remaining from the old one. Our cinema house has become a multimedia center and the park - a real draw for our residents. Thanks to the Belarusian Written Language Day, our town has become more comfortable for its residents,” Vasily Zakharenko said.

During the on-site meeting of the organizing committee, its representatives inspected the town in the run-up to the festival. Igor Petrishenko gave a thumbs-up to the work carried out. “Good job. I am sure that Belynichi will be a good host to the Belarusian Writing Language Day. We also hope that the program of the festival will be interesting for our guests,” he said.

The Belarusian Written Language Day was established in 1994 and is celebrated on the first Sunday in September. It is held to popularize the best traditions of national culture, literature, and the spiritual heritage of the Belarusian people. The festival is hosted by  takes place in historical, cultural, scientific and literature centers and cultural centers. This year’s host Belynichi will host the festival on 6 September.

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