Being in close proximity to Russia, Viciebsk cannot be but included in the orbit of Russia's new geopolitical concept, which is called the "Russian world".
Some representatives of the Russian elite believe that this concept reflects the real socio-cultural and geo-political events, others – believe that the concept is a political slogan, reflecting the post-imperial sentiment.
Either way, the social and political processes taking place within the Viciebsk region, convincingly prove the reality of it, "Russian world" and its demand for the population "northern capital" of Belarus.
On "feeding" the "Rossotrudnichestvo"
There is in Russia a very interesting organization called the Federal Agency "Rossotrudnichestvo", created in September 2008.
From 2014, the Agency directly implements the state program of the Russian Federation on the consolidation of public associations of compatriots living abroad, meet their cultural, linguistic and spiritual needs, the support of the Russian diaspora youth.
According to the intergovernmental agreement in late 2009 representative of "Rossotrudnichestvo" was opened in the Republic of Belarus.
If you carefully read the website of the Belarusian representation, it can be seen that the activity of the foreign organization is beyond the scope of the stated objectives.
A good example of this is thanks to the Agency "Rossotrudnichestvo" on the state organs and institutions of the Viciebsk region.
Thus, the Department of Education, Sports and Tourism of the Viciebsk Regional Executive Committee expresses its gratitude for the installation of satellite dishes in 5 Viciebsk district education offices.
University Administration Educational Establishment "Viciebsk Order "Badge of Honor" State Academy of Veterinary Medicine" expresses its deep gratitude and appreciation for the active and fruitful cooperation in the organization and conduct of the Second Open-interuniversity festival of Navruz.
The Organizing Committee of the International festival-contest of children's and youth creativity "Rainbow over Viciebsk" expresses sincere gratitude for the support of this project, the establishment of special diplomas and prizes for the participants.
All of the above Belarusian state bodies and institutions are not subjects that are covered by means of the Agency's activities in meeting the cultural, linguistic and spiritual needs of Russian compatriots abroad. Nevertheless, these projects were supported by Viciebsk "Rossotrudnichestvo".
We can assume that we have listed, not all agencies and organizations that one way or another receive material and other assistance from the Agency. Therefore, it is impossible to assess the scale of aid and, as a consequence, newfound favor with officials of Viciebsk for "Russian world".
Moreover, once using the budgetary resources of another state, heads of Belarusian institutions and organizations is not without reason, "hope for further fruitful cooperation!"
He built the "Russian House"
In Viciebsk lives and works Russophile Andrew Gerashchenko, a former petty officer of the Administration of the Oktyabrsky district. He became a prominent figure in Belarus is due to the fact that actively implements ideas Russism.
Currently, Mr. Gerashchenko takes various social, political and religious positions. He is the head of the public association "Russian House" in Viciebsk and at the same time the chairman of the Coordinating Council of public organizations of Russian compatriots leaders of Belarus to the Russian Embassy in Minsk. He is the chief editor of the monthly newspaper "Our Orthodoxy", founded by the Viciebsk Diocese of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Gerashchenko Political activity is that it is included in Politispolkom Viciebsk regional organization of the Republican Party of Labor and Justice.
Andrew Gerashchenko has direct contacts with the Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surkov. In fact, he coordinates the activities of a network of pro-Russian organizations in Belarus. Including interacts with the Belarusian office of "Rossotrudnichestvo".
By the same "Rossotrudnichestvo" scheme operated in Ukraine. Now in this country, war and chaos.
Viciebsk residents are for the "Russian world"?
Extremely high thrust to Russian residents of Viciebsk is often a sacred and irrational character. 25-year-old sovereignty and independence of Belarus in no way destroyed the "Russian character" in the majority of Belarusian citizens living in Viciebsk.
As if by some magic wand, in the spring of 2014 in the showrooms and on the antennae of private and public vehicles Viciebsk residents tied "St. George ribbons" as a symbol of the power of unconditional support for Russia's actions in foreign policy methods. And as a consequence: during the euphoria of "victory over Bandera" the vast majority of Viciebsk citizens openly, by word and deed, supported separatists and Russian.
Viciebsk Cossacks openly collected in public places funds for residents of the breakaway republics of Lugansk and Donetsk.
During the active combat operations in the east of Ukraine in the public baths of the city could be seen tanned Viciebsk citizens who, according to them, have come to the bath "to wash away the dust trench New Russia".
In whose trenches in the near future will be the defenders of the "Russian world", we have to find out pretty soon.
Lyavon Efremenko
