Due to the fact that the Viciebsk branch of the public association "Belarusian Association of Journalists" won the competition for the best branch in 2015, its curator, Alena Stepanova, answered a few questions for our readers.

Mrs. Alena, how many members of the department in Viciebsk today and only if it is only journalists from Viciebsk?

We have 32 members, but the Viciebsk branch – is not only the residents of Viciebsk. We were joined by journalists from regional centers: Leonid Gorovoj of Haradok, George Stankevich from Biešankovičy, Alexander Shchemlev from Shumilino. In Vorša there is also a member of the NGO "Belarusian Association of Journalists", but there is no own organization, so that it would be desirable and often attach to some of our overall business.

Share the secret of creativity Viciebsk organization that was the best branch "BAJ" 2015?

Creativity is quality private. And in our organization there are totally different people. With a variety of interests, with a different attitude to the membership of the NGO "Belarusian Association of Journalists". There are journalists and government and non-government publications and in this case will inevitably be differences of opinion, but for me it's a natural thing. I never was aimed, for example, to combine all our members around some common cause. So I believe that the basic principle, which is based on a promising public education – is the principle of voluntariness and personal desire. For participation in our events, for developing pans we do not get the money, so the main condition for participation – doing business with pleasure. Come up with something the person can be 2-3, and for the implementation of the planned ten will suffice. And that's okay too. But it is always important that a man had to choose from.

The first place among the regional organizations, we actually received, as it is written in the diploma for creativity – including. Among us there are active people who are good at coming up with just unusual things. Thus was born the idea of "BAJaar" – similar to the "Slavic Bazaar" in Viciebsk brand. And this project, which were "BAJ– kirmaš" and "Star distributor of independent media Boris Khamajda", and other interesting things. Embody all helped us colleagues from neighboring regions – from Połacak, from Hłybokaje, from Barysaŭ. All together, we got a better appreciation for the presentation platform.

By the way, this is another prerequisite for our success – that with us a lot of interesting people from other regions who are also willing to dream, do not hesitate to offer the most bold ideas and willing to implement them.

But there were some specific things for which the department and noted as the best?

As in my opinion, we got the victory not for the highest number of any cases or events – in other cities also held a lot of different and interesting. And not for the participation that offers Minsk office – or rather, not only for that. I think we won because the Get creative independence. From colleagues often heard good reviews about our participation in the solidarity campaign "Stand Up for Journalism". Many will recall that in 2014, six of our members have been fined for a photo session with birds. So this year we decided to take a completely different thing: put a free press in the mall area of new buildings.

All our initiatives, participation in various activities of all interested can read on a special page "Viciebsk. Our people in the city" on Facebook.

Tell me, please, that you personally give this public office? As for me, then you're good at. This adds your charm and energy.

By nature I am not a "functionary", not "official", so the ability to " lead others" great pleasure I did not bring. Pleasure getting entirely on the creative part is that we do, from the fact that the opportunity to express themselves and have others. Very glad that there are a number of creative people. After all, creativity and the ability to self-realization in some new directions – this is for me the best rest from work, from the surrounding reality, which is not always pleasant.

So I always try to make between all of us, his colleagues, had friendly relations – warm, human ... I am glad that it is not necessary to command as the "boss", but you can just ask for help and to be confident that it will receive. It is worth it, if I do something, and then someone will reproach: "Why did not you call me? Helped to do this and that..." I think that is the easiest way – to offer friendship and together do what is interesting to a particular group of people. Whether big or small – the main thing that everyone liked to do something together.

Alena, shared how the idea came to make a film about "BAJ" member from Biešankovičy George Stankevich, and who helped you in this matter?

This idea was not some lightning discovery, which they say "lit up". George, I know for a few years, a lot of time writing about it on several occasions, most often when he had the courts for the newspaper "Kryvinka". It was incredibly interesting that this smart, talented, intelligent people – lives in the village, planting potatoes, keeps three cows, but as it turned out, even with a dozen cats living in his yard. This is so sudden – when a person writes sublime, romantic poems, songs, and he has a whole lot of the peasant economy and the labor ... In short, I believe that this is an unusual man with an unusual life experience and the choice of fate. Besides colleague! Not all us journalists to write about other people? That's how the idea to remove the film about George Stankevich.

At first it was just an idea, a dream, and then there was a man who had agreed to work together – the operator Alexander Zenkov, incidentally, is also a member of the "Belarusian Association of Journalists", the head of Barysaŭ department. It turned out that we are in many ways like-minded people have similar views, so easy to negotiate. Working together on the film and in general it was very cool! Alexander has extensive experience filming his movies, for example, won prizes at the International Festival of Christian films and TV programs "Magnificat". But for me the film "I believe that I am happy," was the first where I tried to be a writer. It seems that the audience, and even the main character he liked, but it was still a little impression.

Have our little creative " cinematic team" and the next idea, has already begun shooting a new film. But this is the secret.

And finally, a few words about the joint initiatives which are planned for the near future.

If you do not talk about me and not about my personal and creative plans, and on the activities of the "Belarusian Association of Journalists", here there are great ideas, too. The plans are based primarily on the proposals that were made by our members. This proposal for professional development: trainings of photography, according to some legal aspects of journalism; and the work that will enhance the positive image of the NGO "Belarusian Association of Journalists", that is the continuation of cooperation with a shelter for stray animals.

A qualitatively new and promising idea can be called the beginning of the campaign "insulting and ridiculous." Its meaning is to capture the various absurdities in the city – take pictures and signs written with errors, and just bad taste, which in our Viciebsk lot ... Well, if you join this campaign and ordinary citizens. And we could write about it for their publications and help reduce bad taste in a variety of its manifestations, to our beloved Viciebsk became even more beautiful.

S. Horki