In Połacak, delegations of writers, publishers, cultural figures from 12 countries are waiting. The organizing committee of the holiday included officials and chairman of the pro-government Union of Writers of Belarus Nikolai Cherginets. And the deputy chairman of the Union of Belarusian Writers Vsevolod Steburak said that they had not received an official invitation to the festival for their alternative union.
— This is a traditional phenomenon, when for significant, big events we are not invited anywhere for years. Personally, it happens, people are attached — as private persons, a person can go somewhere at his own risk. However, the same stands for non-state publishers are usually not offered, and officially the delegation does not go.
We treat this with a reasonable amount of irony. After all, to be just a background somewhere for government officials and to make a picture of liberalization, when it does not exist, no one wants. And it absolutely does not make sense. And there have not been any serious, significant steps towards or tendencies to improve relations with the independent Union of Belarusian Writers, or not.
Therefore, we work with readers, conduct events, parties, meetings with their resources, their capabilities. Sometimes we do not get into the halls, where it would be possible. But we have constant and good contact with readers. And without such kind of activities, do not be sad. After all, there is often a speech "for politics". And language and literature are just the background on which officials want to appear.
A well-known Belarusian writer Vladimir Orlov, a Polonin by birth who wrote a lot about the history of Połacak, said that he was not invited to Połacak on the Day of Belarusian Written Language:
— But even if they invited me, I do not like these official celebrations." I will have my own holiday: I will go and walk alone along the streets that are dear to me. And, certainly, the monument of the millennium of the Belarusian statehood is of interest. But for me it does not matter whether the official authorities invited me or not. I have mutual feelings with these authorities. Including the current Połacak.
I, of course, am glad that these celebrations are held in Połacak. But I consider it a crime that Połacak was deprived several years ago of its former status and became an ordinary district center. This is a complete failure to understand the importance of Połacak as our first capital. Failure to understand the prospects of Połacak as a tourist capital. I and my friends, like-minded people tried to resist this, but it was useless.
During the Day of Belarusian Written Language in Połacak, the premiere of the film "The First Book" about Frantisek Skorina will be held, as well as the commemorative sign "Połacak — the cradle of the Belarusian statehood", authored by Vladimir Pipin. On the sign are cast in bronze shields with portraits of Rogvolod, Rogneda, Vseslav Witch, Euphrosyne of Połacak and other historical figures.
The Day of Belarusian Written Language is a national holiday, celebrated since 1994. For the first time the holiday was held in Połacak.
Ales Dashchinski, svaboda.org
