February/March, 2008

Ideas of the Season Holidays and Events Images of Belarus Talented and Creative On the Wings of Music Make the World Closer Burst Out Laughing

Sum 41 created a new music disc.

This disc is called "Underclass Hero", which should help this pop-punk group to be the best punk band after the terrible and unpopular "Chuck". Canadian pop-punks from Alaska (Ontario) only compose music and songs for a group. They can't do something else, but is cheerful and funny band. Every boy from Sum 41 plays the , piano and different drums. And in 1991 this friends created their own group in university. The name of this collective "Sum 41" (the 41st day of summer) appeared in 1996. This summer day was the first day in a real music life of this band. But only some people know, that Sum 41 had another name "My Nuts Are Huge Kaspir", but it was only little joke... There are many punk groups, which influenced on Sum 41. For example, NOFX, , , , Sex Pistols. Sum 41- is a very popular punk group in Canada, USA, Europe and Britain. Some songs were taken for different comedies. For example: "", "Over My Head"," In To Deep". You can find these songs in a comedy "American Pie". Sum 41 was very popular after the disc "" and after golden songs of "All Killer, No Filler". These two discs had 2 million copies and all fans in the world were proud of this difficult work of Sum 41. The next music album "Does This Look Infected?" was very popular with two cool hits "Pieces" and "Still Waiting". "Pieces" is a slow, wonderful and song about love, but "Still Waiting"- is a hard, cheerful, and mad song about friends and friendship. Sum 41 is against George Bush and all the wars in the world, so some "political" songs are forbidden on TV and radio. But Sum 41 is a talented and funny, understanding and cheerful band. Many fans of this group will wait next with real cool music. And Sum 41 will try to create a lot of hits in the near future! Karina Timofeeva, Cheslav Vozisov 9 “C”

from Elena Nikolayevna Bashilova and the “Kaskad” Theatre

The first night that took place on February, 22 at the Assembly Hall was a success. After the performance we asked the Head of the “Temple Of my Soul” Club for an interview.

– What influenced the choice of these stories and how did the idea to make such a performance appear?

– Nowadays teenagers don’t read a lot, and many love stories stay unknown. I wanted such stories to be presented on the stage. Maybe someone will be interested in them and decide to get acquainted with them closely. And secondly, my class, 11 “B”, is close to the great art of theatre. For many years we have been making various performances. And this year we have found it possible to create such a dramatized show where everyone will get a leading role to realize his abilities. This way our idea was created. We wanted to show that gentle love exists, because love is such a feeling which always should be in blossom. I think that heroes of “Master and Margarita”, “Botfly”, “Blizzards” can cure our hearts and make them more sensitive.

– What feelings filled you and the actors during rehearsals, before and after the performance?

– Every first night brings a lot of difficulties such as the choice of costumes, music and scenery. It’s not easy to gather all the students to rehearse because the students are getting prepared for entrance exams to universities. Of course the first night can be nervous but after the performance the actors feel an enormous happiness and pleasure. That’s why nobody has to take part in this festival of love. Boys were ready to admit love, to kneel to girls. Everybody was enthusiastic about this idea. And we even carried out a video shooting of these fragments to be presented to a school museum.

– Do you think everything turned out to be successful?

– Yes. At least the emotional call of the hall was very powerful, the spectators apprehended very intimately. Katya Totikova, Ksenia Parshina 9 “A”

It was 2005. On September 11th a group of students from our gymnasia, Sidorov Vsevolod Vasilievich, Markevich Natalia Pavlovna and Shpikat Tatiana Ilyinishna took a trip to Sweden. In general they travelled almost by all means of transport. The city where they lived was named Herganes, and it is situated on the southwest of Sweden. We interviewed Natalia Pavlovna and some of the students who participated in the project. She introduced Sweden to us.

- What was the first thing you pay attention to, when you arrived? - Probably, cleanliness. For example at the airport the floor was covered with laminate and a small baby was creeping on the floor absolutely quietly and adults did not pay any attention to it. In general they give their children more freedom. Also there is no separate post service in Sweden. Post offices are situated on gasoline stations.

- How does a Swedish house look like? - Although near private houses there are flowers, usually, houses outside look ordinary. But inside, there are unusual style and grace, different statues, ornaments, etc.

- Do the Swedes strongly differ from us? - No, we are very similar, but they are very quiet. It is difficult to make them express their feelings. They are certainly less temperamental than we are, but it isn’t boring to communicate with them. They are straightforward.

- Did any unusual or funny situations happen there? - Well, not very awful, but … The matter was that there is always only one dish on the table, and several salads and everyone helps himself. By the way they offer only once. It happened several times that they offered something, and you refused quickly. Then you understood it would be good to eat that, but nobody offered it again. There was another amusing situation. When we went to the mountain, one Swede, wishing to reduce the way, got into the bog and lost her trainers there. The Swedes didn’t make a big problem about it. They all make no fuss about such things.

- Are there any youth organizations, like BRCY (БРСМ), scouts? - Yes, there are scouts and other organizations, but the Swedes prefer to gather small groups and to discuss different problems, from convenience of children's carriages up to the problems connected with ecology or smoking. They consider that this way of solving a problem is more real, than in any mullions-strong organization.

- What aim is it better to pursue, when you go to Sweden? - The sea. And probably … culture of Vikings. There is the biggest museum of Southern Sweden in Lund. There are villages of Vikings, various inscriptions on stones and many other things. And some things even are allowed to be touched. The Swedes, too.

So if you want to have quiet but exciting holidays, to communicate with straightforward and affable people and enjoy the sea, choose Sweden! You won’t regret it! Ksenia Parshina 9 “A” Katia Totikova 9 “A”

At the beginning I want to explain why I have chosen these images. Some of them are not well-known and I suppose that it will bе interesting to reflect great diversity of our Belarusian culture from different sights. Тhe first picture reflects the epoch of enlightenment in Belarus. You can see Francisk Skorina there. This man began to print books and he gave education to people. Не worked in the 15- 16th centuries, and now, in the modern world we remember about his deeds. The second image shows us the national Belarusian dish – potato pies. I think that every country needs to have food introduction, because when some foreigners read about it they will know what they сan order in a restaurant during their visit. Another picture shows us the stock – the symbol of Belarus. This bird symbolizes freedom and it lives up on the roofs of the country houses and brings luck. Then I include the image of the “Borisov stone” which is situated near St. Sofia Cathedral and shows us the pagan times, when people believed that if they told а pray to this stone, success would attend them. The bagpipe is the national folk instrument. А piece of modern Belarus is the National Library – the new home for books and one of the landmarks of our capital. I didn't mention sport games in my project, because it’s so very hard to tell about all of them. Sport development in our country is at high level and we сan chose any kind of sport to satisfy everybody’s personal taste. And in the end I’d like to explain the choice of the background. It symbolizes awakening of wonderful Belarusian nature. Alevtina Kuzmenkova, 11 “B”

Belarus is а unique country. The Belarusians know the history of their Motherland and they are proud of its past, culture and art. Тhe landscape of Belarus is quite original because the human influence here is not so great as in western Europe. So I have decided to choose Lake Naroch as the background idea of mу project as I consider that the lake symbolizes the whole Belarus. Many tourists visit this magnificent place. Тhe mighty aurochs is the symbol of Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Heroic people live in this country and it was perfectly demonstrated during the Nazist occupation. Brest fortress is а sacred place for every citizen of Belarus. It stands for the heroism of the Belarusian people during the hard years of the Great Patriotic War. When the war was over our country was burnt to ashes. But due to selfless labour of our people the factories and plants were restored and now Belarus is among the most highly developed industrial countries of the world. Much attention is paid to sports. Deep interest is generated in а variety of sports including ball games, athletics, skiing, skating as well as all sorts of outings which have become most popular recreations for millions of Belarusians. То encourage people to go in for sports specially prepared bowling greens and even golf courses and other traditional sport facilities are built. Our athletes win top rank competitions in calisthenics, hockey, etc. Тhe musical instruments people play help understand their nature. Тhe Belarusian people's character is as gentle and melodious as the sound of goose. As far as modern рор and folk music is concerned mаnу singers take part in Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk which is annually arranged. The picture in the top left hand corner represents potatoes - our second bread. Everybody knows that 200 dishes can bе cooked from it. As I was bоrn in Gomel I couldn't but include the Paskeviches' palace and the park into mу project as it is our pride. I believe that mу project will help to give а better understanding of mу native country, а really fascinating place to live in. Oleg Zaitsev, 11 “C”

Whenever we look at Belarus on the map we understand that our country is small and easy to find, but at the same time there live hospitable people with big hearts and rich traditions. So if you come here, Belarusian people will do everything to make you feel at home and you will understand that the country is not so small. It is enormous for its history and kind, intelligent people. What is the best way to present our country to the world? Here comes the answer. The best thing is to think about the images and the heritage of Belarus and its people. There isn’t a big amount of countries, which have such an exciting historical past. We’d like to present it to other people. For example, there is no alphabet in the world except Belarusian that includes such a letter as “ў”. Belarusian Crockery and flax are famous for their quality and beauty. Sometimes foreign people go to Belarus to buy clay and flax items ТВ to listen to our unique musical instruments and voices. Belarusian nature with its remarkable landscapes can’t be found anywhere in the world as it is supposed to be a huge “factory” of fresh air for the whole Europe. Without its lakes, marshes and forests have always been the lungs of the continent. The authorities of the country do their best to save untouched nature. They set high fines for killing rare wild animals, for polluting the soil and water while washing a car. It is essential because people can spoil everything if they aren’t stopped. We are happy to present you the projects “Images of Belarus” and “Heritage of Belarus” developed by our students. Ksenia Yakshtas, 9 “C” Elena Ivashniova Ilona Mikholap

Two Weeks in the Barracks

Two weeks of our military training course are left behind. On the one hand it was a rather amazing break in our monotonous school life. And on the other hand, frankly speaking, it was rather tiresome. Nevertheless it was very did active. We learned much, practiced a lot, scribbled different nonsense down, then tried hard to repeat everything we’d heard and seen. But it would be unjust to complain, as there were so many merry and amusing moments, and the last but not the least: we’ve got the useful knowledge which we hope will help us in our future life!

Barracks – a fortnight at the popular youth resort

The latest fashion uniform

Kick the target!!!!!!!!!!!!! Olga Suglobova, 10 “D”

Funny View On Our School

(to my Grandpa’s farm)

My school is called GSLG. It is situated in the center of the city near the football stadium. It is not very far from my house so I’m pleased with its location. Near our school you can find a place for smoking and a shop where you can buy really good food. My school consists of two buildings: the new one and the old one. In the old building of our school there are workshops with very modern equipment, and other rooms, usually intended for juniors. And, of course, our Assembly Hall with the latest audio equipment is situated between the first and the second floors also in the old building. The long corridor leads you to the new building. In the very beginning of the corridor our library is situated. Fortunately all the books were happily transformed into forums and chats by our careful pupils. Next to the library school canteen is situated. Usually only several pupils a year get poisoned in our canteen. It’s a good result. On the ground floor biology and history classrooms are situated. The only things we have in biology lessons are torn posters made in the 1980s and corps of poor little things. The history classrooms have computers which were bought just after the school was erected. On the first floor there are sport gyms. May be soon we’ll get football gates ... Our science “laboratory” was well equipped in the 70s-80s. But our teacher is so good that she manages without any helpful things. Our English class is also situated on the first floor. The equipment of this classroom is the tables and six bookcases. On the second floor there are computer classrooms and the chemical “laboratory”. All the computers there were transformed into virus carriers by our careful pupils. But the chemical “laboratory” can satisfy to everybody’s tastes because you can eat, drink and sniff all the equipment of this laboratory. So in my opinion what is really good in our school is our teachers and it is their fault that our school is known as a trump institution.

Astashkevich Mikhail 9 “C”

March Facts, Customs and Traditions

March is the third month of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. It was the first month of the early Roman calendar and was called Martius. March has always had 31 days. Its name honors Mars, the Roman god of war. Match was also the beginning of British calendar too. They changed to the “New Style” or “Gregorian Calendar” in 1752, and it is only since then the year began on 1st January.The Anglo-Saxons called the month Hlyd monath which means stormy month.

Popular Beliefs There are many superstitions about March. If Easter should fall on Lady Day (March 25) then some disaster will shortly follow. “When my Lord falls on my Lady’s Lap, England beware on some mishap”. We often hear that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”. This means that the first days are stormy and the last are mild and warm. And there are many beliefs about March.

“A dry March and a wet May fill barns and bays with corn and hay”. “As it rains in March so it rains in June” “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers”.

March Symbols The flower for March is the violet. The birthstones are the bloodstone and the aquamarine.

25th – Tichborne Dole

The Tichborne Dole is an ancient British tradition still very much alive today. It takes place in the village of Tichbourne in Hampshire every year on March 25th (Lady’s Day) and dates back to the 13th century. Lady Day itself is celebrated in honor of the Virgin Mary as this day, nine months before Christmas, is the day of the Annunciation from the Archangel Gabriel that she would bear Christ. In the 12th century Lady Day was considered the first day of the year and persisted until the official calendar change of 1752.

Yulia Ivashniova 9 “A”

February Facts, Customs and Traditions

February is the second month of the year according to the Georgian calendar, which is used in almost all the world today. It is also the shortest month. According to legend, the first calendar of the ancient Romans had only ten months. But in about 700 B. C., the ruler Numa Pompilius added January and February. February became the last month of the Roman year. The month takes its name from the Latin word februare, meaning to purify. The Romans purified themselves in February to prepare for festivals at the start of the New Year. Later the Romans moved the beginning of the year from March to January, making February the second month. The Romans and the Celts regarded February as the start of spring. February usually had 28 days until the time of the Roman statesman Julius Caesar. Caesar gave it 29 days in standard years and 30 every four years. According to tradition, the Roman emperor Augustus took one day off February to add to August, the month named after him. Today, February has 28 days in standard years and 28 in leap year. Having only 28 days in non leap years, February was known in welsh as “y mis bach” – the little month.

Popular Beliefs

People often refer to the second day of February as Ground-Hog Day. According to many old stories, the ground hog or woodchuck comes out of its burrow on February 2 to look for its shadow. If the sun is shining and the ground hog can see its shadow, it goes back to sleep for a while, and winter is not over. If the ground hog cannot see its shadow, it begins its springtime activities.

February Symbols

Many people consider the primrose the special flower for February. The amethyst is the birthstone for February.

Leap Year

Hundreds of years ago the 29th day of February had no recognition in English law. It was “leapt over” and ignored. This is how the word appeared.

Leap Year Tradition The one day of the year on which, traditionally, women can propose to men. It was considered that as the day also had no legal status, it was reasonable to assume that tradition could be broken, so women took advantage of this and proposed to the men they wanted to marry. A law once existed in Scotland forbidding a man to refuse a proposal made to him. Punishment for such an offence was a large fine. This tradition goes back to an old Irish legend concerning St. Patrickon behalf of all women in that they have a more active role in choosing their husbands.as a result of this request, women were allowed to propose to men once every four years. Yulia Ivashniova 9 “A”

HUMOUR IN UNIFORMn

 A Navy man had the good fortune to be stationed in Hawaii – but the bad fortune to have fair skin. One day, after spending many hours under the hot sun, he reported back to duty with a terrible sunburn. Expecting sympathy, he was, instead, reprimanded by his superiors and then written up for “destruction of submarine.” government property”.  While in MARINE CORPS BOOT  One soldier was ordered to CAMP, the soldiers were taught to keep undergo a psychiatric evaluation in their heads if they were taken as a prisoner which he had to answer some odd by the enemy. After all, the methods used questions. to extract information, they learned, might “If you saw a submarine in the Sahara, not be the one, they had expected. what would you do?” “Imagine that the door to your cell “Well, I‟d throw snowballs at it,” he opens and a very beautiful woman in a answered. splendid outfit walks in,” said their “Where‟d you get the snowballs?” the instructor. “The best thing to do is not to doctor asked. touch her.” “The same place you got the From the back of the room came the question, “Sir, what‟s the second best thing?”

 The holidaymakers were driving along the road one day when they crashed into a camouflaged Army truck. Everyone was okay, but when asked by soldiers what had happened, the travellers told them, “We just didn‟t see you coming.”

By „President BUSH‟

Our Staff

Spring has come, have you noticed? The staff of our newspaper congratulate you with all spring holidays and wish you good luck and all the happiness!!! We hope you’ll have a lot of fun reading the third issue and stay with us during the whole school year. You can become a reporter of our newspaper and you’re always welcome with your creative works.

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