The First Herald of Spring

Belarusian oil Historical and workers are Cultural Centre actively developing of Michal Oginski’s the southern Digital Heritage Polesie area 5 welcomes guests 7

PUBLISHED SINCE FEBRUARY 2003 NO. 08 (870) THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 WWW.SB.BY Aleksandr Kulevsky

A student of Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, Yana Pikula, at Minsk Hothouse-Hotbed Vegetables Growing Integrated Plant The first herald of spring It won’t be long before the scattering of tulips will decorate our streets, pleasing the eye after the grey winter days, and the ladies will be given fresh and fragrant bouquets on March 8th. On the eve of International Women’s Day, flowers in Belarusian greenhouses are gaining in beauty and waiting for their finest hour. 6 We can stand up for ourselves The national security sector’s readiness for new challenges and threats, improvement of the Security Council’s activities and personnel issues were high on the agenda of the President’s meeting with the State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus

By Yevgeny Kononovich, sia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and BELTA Polina Konoga “Therefore, the range BELTA Ukraine (Ukraine is in difficul- of issues to be resolved ties again), and other post-Sovi- The situation globally and is vast. The Security et countries. We agreed on this at our borders places special de- Council should convene a long time ago, and I think that regularly, it should mands on the national security focus on fundamental you are ready for it,” the Presi- system. The temptation of some issues of security and dent added. states and politicians to resolve the defence of our In his talk to journalists, all the issues by force, threats state. This is a top-level Mr. Volfovich didn’t reveal all and sanctions is becoming in- team of staff, who rep- the proposals submitted to the creasingly dangerous. How resent the President in President, for a variety of rea- ready are we for a new reality? defence and security.” sons. However, he made clear What more needs to be done to the vital points, improve the effectiveness of the In the near future, some doc- Aleksandr Volfovich national security system? These uments related to the functioning “The security, defence are not routine questions. The of the Security Council should the First Deputy Defence Min- ty but also because of the desire and law enforcement agen- State Secretary of the Security be refined and, with this in mind, ister, the Interior Minister, the of some internal forces and, to cies are capable of accom- Council of Belarus, Aleksandr Mr. Volfovich made some sug- Foreign Minister, the Finance a greater extent, foreign players, plishing law enforcement

FOCUS Volfovich, reported to the Pres- gestions. According to him, the Minister, the chairpersons of to destabilise the situation in Be- tasks in our country. They ident, while the latter voiced a experience of Russia, Kazakh- the State Security Committee larus’. He stated, are ready for any change fundamental task, stan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and the State Control Commit- in the foreign or domestic regarding the composition and tee, the General Prosecutor and “If it were not for exter- situation.” “In line with our condi- functions of the Security Coun- the Chairman of the Investiga- nal forces, there would have tions, we need to seriously cil has been studied. Their main tive Committee. Other officials been no such pressure com- Mr. Volfovich stated with build up and, in some places, tasks and functions are actually appointed by the President on ing from all sides. Today regret that, these days, mutual even restructure the work of similar: the protection of nation- the recommendation of the they are already expressing relations between countries tend the Security Council.” al interests. However, the struc- State Secretary of the Security their grievances about sport. to increasingly rely on the reso- tures differ as Russia’s Security Council may also be members They are trying to control us lution of conflicts through force. Working in a new way Council includes the Mayor of of the Security Council. and tell us what to do. How- Relations sometimes involve Aleksandr Volfovich was Moscow and the Governor of St. “Based on the current sit- ever, we will fix it. It’s not a threats and blatant interference appointed State Secretary of the Petersburg, as well as the Presi- uation, the President proposed problem. You see that they in the affairs of other countries. Security Council a month ago. dent’s plenipotentiaries in the re- to extend the list of the Secu- are using all possible means Belarus is no exception and Previously, he headed the Gen- gions. Mr. Volfovich believes our rity Council members with the to rock the boat in Belarus it causes a certain instability eral Staff of the Armed Forces country has no need for this kind Defence Minister, the Interior little by little. They are send- in society. With this in mind, and, as an experienced strate- of organisation at the moment. Minister and the Chairman of ing messages and taking ac- the official added that issues of gist, he’s managed to not only The structure of Belarus’ the State Security Committee,” tion, all this is coming from persistent social and economic thoroughly scrutinise the situ- Security Council involves Mr. Volfovich told journalists. abroad.” development of the country are ation but also to prepare some the President, who is also its According to him, a draft decree coming to the fore, as never be- proposals for improving the Se- Chairman, and five permanent will be prepared and submitted Guarding state interests fore. In this respect, the securi- curity Council’s work. members: the Prime Minister, to the President for approval. The President noted that the ty, defence and law enforcement Aleksandr Lukashenko rec- chairpersons of the House of One of the issues raised by corresponding services have agencies aim to ensure the stable ommends relying on the experi- Representatives and the Coun- the President at the meeting identified all these centres, all operation of the economic and ence of similar structures in the cil of the Republic, the Head of was maintaining stability and ‘zmagary’ and fugitives from political system of society. countries close to us: i.e., Russia the President Administration security in Belarus throughout Belarus, “However, knowing is “At present, the national and Kazakhstan. At the same and the State Secretary of the this turbulent year. Aleksandr not enough. We must fight back. security system created in our time, he highlights the multi- Security Council. In addition, Lukashenko openly admits that How will we act if the situation country can accomplish the most lateral nature of the ‘security’ there are nine members for the this will be a very challenging gets worse? Everything must be important tasks. Belarusians can concept, ranging from econom- following positions: the Defence year, ‘not only because there is planned down to the smallest rest assured that we will secure ic and food security to military Minister, the Chief of the Gen- some misunderstanding about detail, taking into account the their right to peaceful work and threats, eral Staff of the Armed Forces, ongoing developments in socie- experience of Belarus, Rus- a decent life,” he said.

BELTA Rights and regulations Europe hasn’t yet got used to the fact that Belarus is not developing in line with their plans, stated our Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei while speaking at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. According to him, Belarusians can proudly de- clare that their cities are among the safest in the world, that all citizens in the country are provided with employment opportunities, have the right to a pension, free education and one of the most affordable and effective systems of free medical care in the world. “Belarus managed to main- France, accompanied by pro- listed. In this regard, the Belaru- incompatible with caring for “In order to overthrow the tain all the social obligations of testers’ outrage and retaliatory sian side proposes to return the people and their rights. acting government, all sorts of the state even during the most police violence are still covered Human Rights Council and the “It seems that some can’t get mechanisms were used to desta- acute period of the coronavirus by the media. “Therefore, the UN as a whole to the geograph- used to the idea that, despite the bilise the internal situation, such pandemic, despite the scepticism claims of western countries to ical and political balance, to the tough political and economic as fake news on social media, and criticism from many western the role of an international su- essence of the organisation’s pressure, the Belarusian state is stimulating the political and fi- The Minsk Times states. At the same time, their pervisor and global mentor in mandate, to the fair and equal not developing according to the nancial support from outside for Thursday policy of total isolation, restric- the implementation of human consideration of problematic patterns of the western states but allegedly ‘spontaneous’ protests March 4 tive measures and outright pro- rights in other countries look human rights situations around as the Belarusian people them- and an extensive set of political 2021 tectionism during this period ex- like a well-thought-out tactic the world. selves decide are in their own in- and economic sanctions. posed systemic socio-economic to distract from their own prob- The Foreign Minister terests,” Vladimir Makei noted. However, Belarus has sur- and social problems and led to lems,” he said. stressed that no other country For this independent posi- vived. “We have preserved the massive violations of human Vladimir Makei noted that in Europe is subjected to such tion, Belarus was subjected to country, its sovereignty and in- rights against their citizens,” the many violations in Poland, Lith- strong pressures from western a brutal attack from the outside. dependence,” the Foreign Minis- Foreign Minister said. uania, the Czech Republic and countries as Belarus. At the same The reason for this was the dis- ter emphasised. He noted that street riots many other European countries time, the West uses its favourite satisfaction on a part of the pop- in Belgium, Germany, Spain, of their own obligations in the method in the form of economic ulation with the results of the Based on materials 2 the Netherlands, Poland and field of human rights could be sanctions, which is completely Presidential elections. of belta.by Olympic horizons Two issues were high on the agenda BELTA

of the meeting of the National Olym- FOCUS pic Committee: the election of the NOC new leadership and preparation for the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo. Viktor Lukashenko was appointed as the new NOC President, while Aleksandr Lukashenko’s address to the Belarusian national team before going to the Games was laconic, “This is a special time. This has never happened. We must show that we are a nation. You should thank our people for what they have done so that athletes can compete and perform.”

A time for true patriots Our best doctors treated their asked senior officials from the in the face of fierce competition have set ambitious goals. Estab- The world of sports is not injuries free of charge. The state Sports and Tourism Ministry and interference of jealous peo- lished and new athletes who are currently going through the didn’t abandon them when they what lessons were learnt from ple; the real champions are those able to represent our country in best of times. The pandem- were disqualified. Now they are the Rio Olympics and what had who score impressive victories Tokyo have a chance at winning ic has closed arenas for many begging international organ- been done to improve the train- for their country, family and the medals.” athletes and preparations for isations for sanctions against ing process. He also pointed at friends, coaches and teammates.” Tokyo are underway in a con- our Olympic movement and the some flaws, “As always, there are The Head of State also Choices made troversial environment. With country in general.” many expectations and promis- said that the Olympics will be The NOC Secretary Gen- regards to our country, truth Aleksandr Lukashenko said es. Although the Olympic selec- held amidst unprecedented eral, Polina Golovina, initially be told, there are problems of that it was due to them that Be- tion for Tokyo is not over yet, COVID-19 measures and restric- proposed two candidates for a different nature. This is what larus was stripped of the right to it is already clear that our team tions, and this should be taken the post of NOC President: the President pointed out when host the 2021 IIHF World Cham- sports (with the exception of 3x3 into account. “It’s necessary to be Aleksandr Lukashenko and he opened the meeting, pionships and the 2021 World basketball) have failed. There prepared to address issues related Viktor Lukashenko. However, are no Olympic to the acclimatisation of athletes, the Head of State excused him- places in box- transfer of the delegation and self saying he had no plans to BELTA ing, judo, karate, equipment to the Olympic Vil- be nominated as the Head of the taekwondo and lage, the organisation of training, National Olympic Committee fencing yet. We everyday life and medical servic- for another term. He addressed can expect more es. Everything necessary for our those present, “I ask you, if this from our wres- athletes to perform well has been is ok with you, to vote for my tlers, track-and- created. If more is needed, more eldest son. I can vouch for him. field athletes and will be done,” he said. There will be no theft, corrup- biathletes.” tion, or misuse of money under No one can Motivation to fight his leadership. Athletes and argue that much The Minister of Sports and coaches will be treated kindly has been done Tourism, Sergei Kovalchuk, and fairly. As for me, I will still in recent years reported on the preparation for keep in touch with what’s going here to develop the Olympics. He noted that, at on in sport. I believe that no one physical culture the final stage, about 260 ath- else, even the Olympic champi- and sports. The letes in 26 sports are preparing ons that are present now, love Head of State for the Games. To date, 74 ath- sports more than me. I tried to mentioned some letes in 16 sports have fulfilled give you as much as I could, I Modern Pentathlon Champion- key results: the material and the qualification requirements know what sport is about. It’s “Unfortunately, our ships. “These people have got technical base has been inten- and standards. my passion.” country and our people have their thirty pieces of silver. We sified and Belarus kept holding The Minister noted that, af- After voting, the elect- come under severe pressures will survive that; I don’t think we competitions and national cham- ter the cancellation of most inter- ed President of the National from all directions. They will have lost something big here. I pionships despite the pandemic national competitions, selection Olympic Committee, Viktor resort to any means: from will say only one thing: you can- and widespread lockdowns… for the Games resumed in No- Lukashenko, said that the post spreading outright fake news not build happiness by betraying Considering this, it seems vember 2020 and for some sports is a great responsibility for him. and creating an aggressive your homeland. May God be fair and appropriate to make a it will continue until the end of “I think together we’ll contrib- information environment to their judge,” he added. state order for sportsmen. The June 2021. “The main task at this ute much to the development of intimidation and attempting However, the Head of State Head of State explained, stage is the successful comple- sports and our country. We un- terrorist acts. Well-known believes, tion of the qualification selection derstand that the expectations ‘sponsors’ spend much mon- “The primary task in for participation in the Games will be great. However, we want ey in destabilising society.” “We still have those the coming months is to put and the formation of the compet- to assure you that the NOC, to- of whom we are proud. together an efficient team itive composition of the Belaru- gether with the Sports and Tour- Alas, not everyone has The majority of Belaru- for Tokyo. Excuses are not sian delegation,” he added. ism Ministry, federations and passed through this period with sian athletes are true welcome, and there cannot Mr. Kovalchuk also said that other stakeholders, will do their dignity. The Head of State noted patriots of their coun- be any!” in sports where Olympic places best to make sure Belarus per- that some athletes, mostly for- try, giving their talent, are not registered, following the forms well in any sporting com- mer ones, have also been sucked strength and energy for An easy event isn’t expected. decision of the NOC of Belarus petition,” he noted. The Minsk Times into this vortex of events, “These victories in the name of Aleksandr Lukashenko under- and the Sports and Tourism Min- At the end of the meeting, the Thursday athletes were raised by our the Fatherland.” stands and recognises this. How- istry, the team will include ath- President once again called on March 4 coaches in sport schools. They ever, he encouraged athletes, letes who are the most prepared, athletes and coaches to unite and 2021 were provided with absolutely all A path to the medal “We’ll go there to fight, it will regardless of who won the plac- mobilise before the Olympics. the necessary conditions to com- podium not be easy for us. There’ll be ates. By the end of the Olympic At the same time, he admitted bine their studies and training Olympic medals are certain- tempts from all sides to crush us, selection, it’s planned that Be- that not every athlete can win a at the Olympic reserve schools ly the paramount stage of sport- the same way as is being done to larusian athletes will take about medal but must show a selfless and universities. The state gave ing glory. With this in mind, Russia. We must withstand this. 110–120 Olympic places. The competition. them the opportunity to do sport preparations for the Olympic Real champions are those who Minister assured, “All athletes professionally without being dis- Games in Tokyo were high on the are able to deliver results in any and coaches are motivated, set Based on materials of sb.by tracted by everyday problems. agenda. Aleksandr Lukashenko conditions, against all the odds, up for a serious competition and and belta.by 3 Successful economic zones The result is in: last year, the free economic zones attracted a record volume of direct foreign investments on a net basis According to data published by the Economy Ministry, enterprises of the free economic zones employ now 5 percent of the average number of all workers countrywide. At the same time, these zones account for 23 percent of direct foreign investments on a net basis, 20.4 percent of exports of goods and 16.6 percent of industrial production in the 2020 Republican figures. The FEZ residents formed almost 5 percent of the country’s GDP.

By Vladislav Sychevich Projects for growth — The Minsk FEZ companies work Compared to 2019, direct foreign in- in different production spheres. What vestments on a net basis increased 1.5-fold projects are being implemented here

— to reach $307m while the volume of in- today? Aleksey Vyazmitinov dustrial production and sales revenue rose — To date, 45 modern factories have by 10 percent. At the same time, the FEZ been built on the area of the Minsk FEZ, residents paid 4 percent more of taxes and in addition to engineering infrastructure. fees than in the previous year. Several industrial facilities have been re- Of course, the situation with the pan- constructed. The activities of resident com- demic affected the work of the zones. panies cover diverse production areas, Under conditions with restrictions on do- with mechanical engineering, metalwork- ing business and the presence of foreign ing, automotive industry, production of currency obligations, some FEZ residents building materials, electronics and print- registered a decreased net profit, while the ing being in the lead. average monthly salary of FEZ employees The largest and most significant in- Horizont Plant rose by 13 percent. In 2020, the FEZ at- vestment projects embrace production of tracted 43 new residents with total declared FACT investments of about $200m, of which about a half were with foreign capital. As of January 1st, 2021, The Minsk Free Economic Zone end-

Vitaly Pivovarchik 440 business entities ed last year with a decent result. Its Head,

ECONOMY Dmitry Rudchenko, tells us about new res- were registered as resi- idents and plans to expand the area. dents in all free economic zones. Projects involv- A decent result ing investments from — Before we speak about the Minsk FEZ results, I’d like to know how more than 30 countries it was affected by the crisis that had are being implemented gripped the global economy? for a total amount of — Of course, the crisis as a global declared investments phenomenon has had a certain impact on the work of Belarusian enterprises, as ADANI is a high-tech enterprise, with a full innovation cycle of about $7bn. they are integrated into global economic processes. At the same time, our residents advantages of its residents. — thanks to timely measures taken — are As a result, interest in us is growing. In able to adequately resist today’s chal- 2020, despite the crisis, 16 new residents lenges. Most of the enterprises managed came to the FEZ — indicating that a fa- to maintain high economic indicators, vourable investment climate has been cre- their markets and jobs. The implementa- ated. A total of 119 resident companies are tion of investment projects continues. registered in the Minsk FEZ and among — In this case, I believe the results them are medium-sized enterprises and of the FEZ work at the end of the year market leaders. Landmark investment pro- weren’t bad… jects with multi-million turnover confirm — In general, if we talk about the that it’s comfortable and profitable to work results of work in 2020, we should note in Belarus. The main investor countries are a positive trend in the growth of pro- Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, It- duction volumes, revenue from sales of aly, Latvia, Lithuania, and China. products, exports of goods, production of — Speaking about the immediate import-substituting products, taxes paid future, what are the plans of the FEZ by residents, fees and payments to the Stadler assembly facility at a Minsk FEZ cluster administration and how many new jobs budget, an increase in wages of employ- are likely to be created while the new ees of the FEZ residents, as well as the electric trains and trams, components for year stood at 80.4 percent. Residents ex- projects are being realised? creation of new jobs. protective roller shutters, gate systems, port their products to 80 countries and the — Further development will be carried Some figures can be specifically manufacturing of X-ray equipment, pas- geography of deliveries is constantly ex- out through the implementation of invest- quoted in this respect. Compared to senger cars, bimetallic bands, ring saws, panding. Although the main markets are ment projects by both existing and poten- 2019, industrial production increased aircraft repair works and production of those in Russia and the CIS, exports to tial residents. In the future, implementation by 15 percent to Br4.512bn (more than cable products. non-CIS countries increased by 28 percent of projects in the field of mechanical en- $1.85bn equivalent), exports of goods by — It’s no secret that, in the current last year to make $456m. gineering, instrument making and ‘green’ 11 percent to $1,468bn, sales revenue by conditions, it is not easy to increase ex- technologies is expected. 20 percent to Br4,790bn (almost $2bn), ports. What’s the share of export-ori- Comfortable climate To create favourable conditions for the The Minsk Times investments in fixed assets by 19 percent ented products in the total volume of — How attractive are the investment implementation of investment projects, the Thursday at comparable prices to Br272m (about industrial production? conditions? What are countries mostly administration will also continue working March 4 $112m). At the same time, the growth of — It’s good to note that, over the past 4 interested in? on the further development of engineering 2021 direct foreign investments on a net basis years, exports by the Minsk FEZ residents — Such factors as favourable transport and transport infrastructure. increased 4.7 times to $68m. exceed $1bn; the trend for growth in vol- and geographical location, availability of When implementing new projects by the Pleasingly, under the conditions of the umes continues annually. I’d like to say industrial and social infrastructure, pref- residents, as well as taking into account the crisis caused by the pandemic, the Minsk with satisfaction that, in difficult or even erential conditions for economic activity, development of energy infrastructure for FEZ residents worked with a net profit of crisis 2020, exports by residents of our transparent and simplified administrative mastering areas of promising development, Br217.3m (almost $90m). Br397m (more economic zone increased by 11 percent to procedures and legally guaranteed invest- by 2025, about $380m of investments are than $163m) of taxes and fees were paid reach almost $1.5bn. ment protection all contribute to the forma- to be attracted to establish efficient pro- to the budget and extra-budgetary funds In general, the share of exports in the tion of a favourable investment climate in duction facilities and create about 4,000 4 — 18 percent more than in 2019. total volume of industrial production last the Minsk FEZ and enhance competitive high-performance jobs. Southern Polesie in focus A new oil field discovered in Khoiniki District Belarusian oil workers are ADDITION gold’ today is hard to extract ECONOMY actively developing the BELTA and Belorusneft’s specialists southern Polesie area, in Over 55 years use the latest technologies in the Gomel Region. A new of operation, Belaru- the process, such as American ‘black gold’ deposit has been discovered in the sian oil workers have ‘Plug&Perf’ which makes it Khoiniki District and large- produced more than possible to develop oil-bearing scale seismic explorations 138m tonnes of oil and horizons of new and partially in neighbouring Lelchitsy, drilled over 7m metres developed fields more widely. Yelsk, Narovlya and Bragin of rock. According to Denis Zakruzhny, the Head districts are next in line. This geologists, the balance of Belorusneft’s Well Tech- is the largest oil search in nologies and Service Depart- reserves of ‘black gold’ the history of Belarus. At the ment, explains, “We’ve started same time, our specialists in Belarus are now production of hard-to-recover have learned to extract the about 46m tonnes, oil by conducting a cluster most difficult-to-reach oil and these should be multi-stage hydraulic fractur- through kilometres of rock, enough for at least minimising production ing. The main advantage of costs every year. another 35 years. this technology is that it cre- ates a large, drained area in a By Stanislav Galkovsky The region is gradually be- short time. It is promising and coming oil rich. Furthermore, cost-effective, significantly in- Four kilometres down to study the resource poten- creasing the effective life of the The ‘black gold’ rises up tial of the central structural well.” Ivan Yarivanovich from a depth of 4,200 metres zone of the Pripyat Trough, In the coming five years, and, so far, the inflow is 20 Belorusneft’s specialists plan Belarusian oil workers are cubic metres per day. Well to drill 13 exploration wells targeting new territories, in- No.1, Vostochno-Izbynskaya, by the end of 2021. Further cluding southern Polesie. The is the main oil-bearing artery work on extracting the most volume of seismic explora- at the new field. Drilling ex- important energy resource will tion will exceed the size of the pert Miron Ilkiv, a specialist most likely be carried out by work carried out over the past with 40 years of experience the cluster method which has 25 years, as noted by Belorus- who has drilled over a hundred proven itself well in the Bela- neft’s Deputy General Direc- wells, commented on the Kh- rusian swamps. tor for Geology, Piotr Povzhik. oiniki site, “We work around “According to our data, this is the clock and oil is definitely In line with a Siberian a very promising region. On present here. There is defi- method the right bank of the Pripyat, nitely oil. Geologists have Cluster construction, pri- we are going to undertake five assessed the deposit and up to marily of inclined wells, was from each other. This is a sort of a facility and supply of all thousand square kilometres of 50 tonnes of ‘light’ oil can be widespread in swampy West- of a network of three injection communication systems.” seismic work and, in 2023, we extracted without the use of ern Siberia. After echelon-type and 11 production wells. plan to start drilling the first additional technologies. This, machines were put into oper- Viktor Arkhipenko heads American efficiency exploratory wells in the south- however, is a forecast and only ation at Belorusneft’s Svet- the Svetlogorsk Drilling Op- Oil production in Belarus ern structural zone (Lelchitsy time will tell how much we’ll logorsk Drilling Operations erations Department. He ex- began 55 years ago. At that District). The development of actually make.” Department, this method of plains, “Compact drilling, time, the rich Rechitsa de- this field will enable us to in- It’s believed that a half a well construction has gained when wells are located at a dis- posit was called a Belarusian crease oil production in Bela- million tonnes of underground momentum in our country. The tance of about 30 metres from Kuwait. However, the days of rus in the future. Preliminary carbon is deposited here. This major cluster is registered in one another, makes it possible ‘light’ oil (up to a record of estimates indicate the presence is the fourth discovery for the the Rechitsa deposit; it unites to significantly save money on eight million tonnes per year) of more than 20m tonnes of oil Khoiniki District in two years. 14 wells at close distances the assembly and disassembly are over. Belarusian ‘black resources there.” NEWS IN BRIEF In 2020, China became Belarus’ Grodno becomes Belarus’ new Hi-Tech Park residents enter Belarusfilm Studio’s official second biggest trade partner youth capital top-100 outsourcers in the YouTube awarded silver button after Russia The regional centre took over the world The silver button is an award given honorary baton from Pinsk. The project The rating, compiled by the Interna- to the owner of a channel that has unit- originated in 2015, the Year of Youth. tional Association of Outsourcing Pro- ed one hundred thousand users. Now The Republican event, entitled Grodno, fessionals (IAOP), includes both large the YouTube channel of Belarusfilm has the Youth Capital, gathered more than world leaders and small, fast-growing 407,000 subscribers, with some videos 300 young people from all over the companies with annual revenues of less getting more than 900,000 views. country: students, young deputies, rep- than $50m and the number of employ- “We started filling the channel about ees less than 5,000 people. The associ- two years ago. A third of our products are ation selected the best, relying on four presented there: animated pictures and criteria: customer reviews, innovative films and video recordings of meetings “Bilateral trade between Belarus and solutions, certificates and awards- re with famous figures in the film industry. China amounted to $4.6bn, exceeding But, according to the technology, new the indicator from 2019 by $0.8m. Ex- films get there only after the official pre- ports of Belarusian goods increased by miere. Therefore, we have plans to work 9.4 percent ($776.9m) while imports de- on new products that will be created ex- creased by 1.7 percent ($3,840.5m). The resentatives of youth parliaments and clusively for the YouTube channel,” they trade balance was in favour of China, working youth. while the gap narrowed by 4.1 percent,” Later, the Republican forum Bela- noted the Belarusian Embassy in China. rus. Youth. Unity took place, as well as The Minsk Times Agricultural and woodworking awards for the winners of the Repub- ceived by the company, and corporate Thursday products became the driver of Belaru- lican Universiade-2020. Together for social responsibility projects. March 4 sian exports to China, demonstrating a Strong and Prosperous Belarus civil-pa- The 2021 Global Outsourcing 100 2021 two-fold increase. To date, 105 Belaru- triotic marathon was also organised. list includes residents of HTP: A1QA sian agricultural producers have been Throughout the year, Grodno will (Quality Technologies JSC), Itransition accredited in China. be hosting numerous sports and cultural (Itransition JSC) and SolbegSoft (Sol- announced, at the film studio. The num- “Despite the slowdown in business events for youth, as well as intellectual begSoft LLC). The rating also includes ber of subscribers to the channel is grow- activity across the world, Belarus and games and tasks, flash mobs and much foreign companies with Belarusian de- ing daily: it increases by about a thousand China have stabilised the dynamics of more. At the same time, traditional cul- velopment centres registered with the per day. Furthermore, a separate channel bilateral foreign trade turnover,” the Be- tural events will also be held with an HTP: Ciklum, IBA Group, Intetics and was recently created for the studio’s ani- larusian diplomatic mission said. emphasis on young people. Artezio. mation projects. 5 Our own effective vaccine As the pandemic progresses, the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen is constantly evolving. Until Belarusian vaccine May-June 2020, mutations were relatively insignificant, but there are already many varieties of the virus; these are gradually replacing the original version. Currently, will be effective it is being studied whether the available vaccines are effective against new mutations. In the future, this will also be relevant for Belarus, because now work is against SARS-CoV-2 underway on the country’s first vaccine. BelTA asked Andrei Goncharov, the Direc- tor of the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering at the National Academy of mutations Sciences of Belarus, who heads the working group, to tell us more.

From scratch (WHO), also recalled the cyclical

in three years BELTA nature of pandemics. Humanity The Belarusian vaccine is is constantly faced with new vi- being developed from scratch. ruses. There have been several re- Actually, it’s the first domestic cent outbreaks of Ebola in Africa. vaccine for the prevention of “We need to be ready to develop infectious human diseases. Pre- the means for their prevention in viously, Belarusian scientists a very short time,” he said. More- created vaccines for the preven- over, against the background of tion of diseases in animals. Two the current epidemic, WHO has organisations are involved: the warned about such a problem as Republican Scientific-Practical the unfair distribution of vaccines Centre of Epidemiology and between countries. Moreover, Microbiology and the Institute recently, Europe has raised the

INSIDE of Biophysics and Cell Engi- issue of banning exports of vac- neering at the National Acade- cines produced in the European my of Sciences. Scientists are Union to other countries. now engaged in the first “If there are other mass dis- stage: development of eases, pandemics, maybe even a prototype which will with much greater lethality, no then be evaluated for one will just give us a vaccine. REGIONS REGIONS immunogenic proper- First of all, those countries that ties in vitro. This will S-protein, but also a huge will have to be updated every are ready to buy the vaccine be followed by animal number of other virus proteins. year due to the appearance of for a very large sum of mon- testing, industrial ad- It’s believed that such vaccines different strains, as is now the ey will vaccinate themselves. aptation, and clinical will be preferable in conditions case with the flu vaccine. Therefore, I’m sure that Belarus trials. At this stage, the when there is an active mutation should have its own domestic Belarusian State Medical of inactivated of the virus and new strains ap- Against the flu technology and base for creating University and Gomel’s whole-virion vaccines is that pear that differ in their immuno- The coronavirus is not the such vaccines, which will allow Medical University will join. they contain the entire spectrum genic, biological properties. last pandemic. Tedros Ghebreye- it not to have to depend on an- Development of a new vac- of viral proteins, that is, we use a It’s possible that the antigen- sus, the Director-General of yone,” Mr. Goncharov believes. cine — even on the basis of well- whole vaccine virus. Therefore, ic composition of the vaccine the World Health Organisation Moreover, on the basis of known technologies — is not immunity will be formed not only the available technology, it will quick. According to scientists, it to the S-protein or M-protein, but be possible to develop vaccines

will take a year and a half to cre- to a variety of components. Some BELTA for the prevention of other dis- ate a prototype. The final result — of them are subject to mutations, eases. The established centre a vaccine that can be safely used others are not. Thanks to this ap- for experimental and applied — will become available within proach, we expect a high effec- virology won’t be idle. “We’re three years. “There is a possibility tiveness of the drug. already thinking about what that we’ll be able to do this much The British-Swedish compa- topical infections we’ll be able faster,” said Mr. Goncharov. ny — AstraZeneca — said that to develop and produce vac- the vaccine developed jointly cines against in the future. First Preferred vaccine with the University of Oxford of all, we are talking about the Many people worry wheth- might not be effective enough flu. Why not? The competence er the Belarusian vaccine will against the South African strain of our specialists enables us to be effective against existing of coronavirus. It will take 6-9 solve such problems,” he said. strains of SARS-CoV-2, as well months to finalise. In our case, as new mutations. The scien- the inactivated vaccine will in- Based on materials tist comments, “The advantage clude not only the SARS-CoV-2 of belta.by The first herald of spring It won’t be long before the scattering of tulips will decorate our streets, pleasing the eye after the grey winter days, and the ladies will be given fresh and fragrant bouquets on March 8th. On the eve of International Women’s Day, flowers in Belarusian greenhouses are gaining in beauty and waiting for their finest hour.

By Victoria Derzhanovich two or even more rows of petals.” round and requires special attention. room is sent to the computer of oper- The temperature in the greenhouse White, burgundy, crimson, orange, ators who work around the clock. If In the early morning, growers of the differs little from that outside, with yellow, cream... The company supplies necessary, they can adjust certain pa- The Minsk Times Minsk Hothouse-Hotbed Vegetables flowers ‘ripening’ in slender rows in roses in a rich colour palette to retail rameters or add fertiliser with just a few Thursday Growing Integrated Plant cut tulips containers with soil. “To grow tulips outlets. keystrokes. March 4 and roses in greenhouses, which will by spring, the bulbs are planted in the According to Ms. Rudko, during They cut roses in the morning — 2021 soon go on sale. This year, the enter- ground in November. The optimal tem- the holidays, the company sells about but not all, only those with a certain de- prise plans to supply 170,000 tulips, ten perature for growing is nine degrees. 50,000 prickly beauties. “We grow 25 gree of buds opening. The next stage is thousand more than last year’s figure. The bud, which initially grows green, varieties of roses. Each is unique in its sorting, because the flowers must arrive Maria Rudko, who heads the shop, ex- should be completely coloured in its own way, like our beautiful Belarusian at the buyer in perfect condition. plains, “This is due to the high consum- own colour,” noted Ms. Rudko. women,” she added. In addition, in order for the bouquet er demand for our flowers in pre-holi- Tulips — unpretentious in care — The plant is studying the most ad- to please the eye for longer, the agrono- day days. High quality Dutch bulbs are are a seasonal product at the plant. vanced experience in floriculture. The mists at the enterprise advise people to purchased for their cultivation. This They are grown exclusively for the greenhouses in which the roses grow change the water every day, shorten the year, we bought peony tulips. Their pe- spring holidays. But the rose queen of are automated: information about the stems by about a centimetre and put the 6 culiarity is that the bud is composed of flowers grows in greenhouses all year temperature and humidity level in the bouquet in a cool place. Oginski has come back to life in a digital form: the National wikipedia.org Academy of Sciences has created a unique resource to promote Belarusian history

How do we know about the events of HISTORY the past? This is mostly thanks to books, textbooks or movies. As for museums, people visit them of course, but not all, and the current epidemiological situation has created obstacles. Nevertheless, scientists say that the pandemic has sharpened the interest of Belarusians in the historical and cultural heritage of their land. They are increasingly interested in castles, events and famous people from the past. A unique resource, the Historical and Cultural Centre of Michal Oginski’s Digital Heritage authored by the United Institute of Informatics Problems at the National Academy of Science, is a true gift to history lovers. Learning more about the Motherland By Vera Arteaga Poland and the Poles, Observations, of modern Belarus, Poland and Russia. Letters about Music, and others. It was Oginski, as a privy council and Polonaise and more a senator of the Russian Empire, who Life. Fate. Time. These words recall History through personality drafted the autonomous divisions of our Natalia Mukha Michal Oginski who is known by all for The project, created by the labora- country. Information about the people his famous polonaise. Its real name was tory head at the Historical and Cultur- with whom he communicated is also Digital information arouses slightly different to that which is used: al Centre of Michal Oginski’s Digital available. interest Farewell to the Motherland. Heritage, Lilia Gubich, took three years Ms. Mukha adds that this is the first The work on the project is complete The musician’s work is certainly to develop. It’s now truly unique for a digital historical and cultural project but the information has yet to be sup- interesting to many. Natalia Mukha, a number of reasons. Firstly, the history for Belarus and its neighbours. “The plemented. Ms. Mukha adds, “In 2008, deputy scientific head of the project and of that time is presented through the uniqueness of the project is that it’s the our Russian colleagues sent Oginski’s a researcher of the design process auto- prism of a famous person’s life. It was first of its kind to link digitalisation with unique archives to Belarus’ National mation laboratory at the United Insti- an epoch rich in major historical events, promotion of the cultural heritage of Historical Museum. We want to make tute of Informatics Problems, believes such as the split of the Rzech Pospoli- Belarus. In addition, it unites the work them available to visitors of the His- Oginski was a landmark personality. ta and the 1812 war against Napoleon. of many museums, giving a wide audi- torical and Cultural Centre of Michal “We know him more as a composer and The project reveals the history of West- ence access to archives, as well as new Oginski’s Digital Heritage. People are polonaise writer, but he’s a much more ern Europe at the time when Oginski research on this topic. We often had to already waiting for updates and we multi-faceted person. Furthermore, he’s was a diplomat, as well as the histories search hard for the information, espe- have registered an interest from a few a significant figure for Belarusians and Lithuanians: Oginski had estates on global culture, as confirmed in 2015 their land as well. This means muse- which was proclaimed the Year of ums also do work there.” Oginski by UNESCO,” she explains. Of course, Belarusian museums and

The statesman, politician, diplomat Aleksey Stolyarov educational institutions will receive and musician participated in many sig- the most complete information about nificant events during his time and left Oginski. According to Ms. Mukha, a considerable cultural and historical the National Historical Museum, the heritage. Among them are waltzes, ma- Oginski Estate Museum in Zalesie, zurkas, dances, minuets, romances, pol- the M.K. Oginski Heritage Charitable onaises and operas. Interestingly, music Foundation, the M.K. Oginski Molo- was simply a hobby for Oginski. He was dechno State Music College and the primarily a civil servant and occupied Belarusian State Archive-Museum important positions in the Grand Duchy of Literature and Music have already of Lithuania, the Rzech Pospolita and shown an interest in the project. Ne- the Russian Empire, playing a major gotiations are also underway with the role in the state, social and political lives National Agency for Tourism regard- of many different countries. He also cre- ing the preparation of Along Oginski’s History of the past revealed through the prism of a famous person’s life ated a rich literary legacy: Memoirs of Paths tourist routes. Another important result of the cially about Oginski’s ancestors and de- work, the researcher reveals, is the BELTA scendants. For example, not everyone preparation of a draft of methodolog- knows that his great-great-grandfather, ical recommendations for the creation Bogdan Marcjan, helped publish the of similar resources for preservation world’s first alphabet book,” she says. of the cultural heritage. This has also The Minsk Times Given the scale of the work, the re- been done for the first time. “The meth- Thursday source about this historical figure can odologic al and instrumental tools for March 4 be considered the most substantial. It’s the digital transformation of historical 2021 true that networks have provided differ- and cultural information are soon to be ent information, but this cannot be com- compiled, becoming the basis for fur- pared. “There are museum sites, but ther work,” Ms. Mukha explains. they only talk about exhibitions. There There are already ideas for further are archives, but not everyone can get projects. Authors plan to join histori- access to them. The goal was to create a ans to systematise information for the resource for a wide audience that would general public on the Enlightenment promote the history of the country,” the era in Belarus and, of course, famous Oginski Estate Museum in Zalesie scientist notes. Belarusian figures of that time. 7 China declares REUTERS Niagara Falls victory in ending extreme covered poverty Chinese President Xi Jinping in ice says his country has achieved the ‘miracle’ of eradicating extreme poverty His government says that over an eight-year period, nearly 100m people have been lifted out of poverty. Speaking at a ceremony in Beijing, Mr. Xi said it was a ‘complete victory’ that would ‘go down in history’. “No other country can lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in such a short time,” President Jinping said. China defines extreme rural poverty as annual per capita income of less than 4,000 Yuan ($620), or about $1.69 a day at current exchange rates. That compares with the World Bank’s global threshold of $1.90 a day. In his speech, Mr. Xi said the ‘ardu- ous task of eradicating extreme poverty

WORLD has been fulfilled’. “According to the Niagara Falls has turned into a spectacular winter current criteria, all 98.99m poor rural population have been taken out of pov- wonderland amid a brutal winter storm erty, and 832 poverty-stricken counties as well as 128,000 villages have been that has swept over a vast swath of the USA removed from the poverty list,” he said. Eradicating rural poverty has been a Temperatures dropped to as low Falls because the water temperature Niagara Falls has been hit with the key initiative of Mr. Xi’s eight-year tenure. as -2F in Niagara, as tourists observed is warmer than the freezing air. And snow and freezing weather that has China announced late last year that it stunning displays of ice clinging on at though some photos show what looks wreaked havoc across the US in recent had removed the last remaining counties the top of the waterfall. like frozen solid Falls, the water actu- weeks. Craters of ice were seen float- from a list of poor regions, which offi- Large chunks of ice could be seen ally never stops flowing. ing on the water at the bottom of the cials said meant it had achieved the goal flowing over the tremendous volume According to Niagara Falls USA, falls, while the surrounding trees and of eliminating extreme poverty by the of water, with the mist forming a beau- ice forms on the river every winter. bushes were covered in snow and ice. end of 2020. tiful rainbow. But the extent of the Falls actually While Niagara Falls was covered In a glitzy ceremony in Beijing, Breath-taking images show mounds freezing over depends on extreme cold in ice, so was nearby Lake Erie and President Jinping bestowed medals on of untouched snow and ice forming weather lingering for long periods of Lake Ontario. An astonishing 86 per- officials from rural communities, some along the banks of the falls and river, time like the polar vortex events of cent of Lake Erie was covered in ice, wearing traditional ethnic-minority at- creating a stunning wintry scene. 2014 and 2015, which can result in according to the National Weather tire, and promised to share this ‘Chinese Steam was seen rising up from the ‘frozen falls’ photos. Service. example’ with other developing nations. Ancient kangaroo painting Leonardo da Vinci’s Australian scientists have discovered the country’s oldest known rock art — a 17,300-year-old painting of a kangaroo ‘cipher’ deciphered The artwork measuring 2m was “We radiocarbon dated three wasp Researchers claim that painted in red ochre on the ceiling of nests underlying the painting and three the Renaissance por- a rock shelter. It was found in Western nests built over it to determine, con- wikimedia.org

traits of the Madonna wikimedia.org Australia’s Kimberley Region, known fidently, that the painting is between for its Aboriginal rock paintings. 17,500 and 17,100 years old; most like- and Child are based Its age was determined by radiocar- ly 17,300 years old,” said Dr. Finch, a on artefacts from Arab bon-dating ancient mud wasp nests. The geochronologist from the University of and Persian traditions findings were published in the journal Melbourne. Nature Human Behaviour. Scientists say this estimation makes An international team of sci- Researcher Damien Finch, who pio- the artwork the oldest known intact entists led by Pier Giorgio Righet- neered the mud wasp dating technique, painting in Australia. ti, a Professor at the Polytechnic said it was rare to find mud wasp nests The study’s co-author Dr. Sven Ou- University of Milan, has revealed both on top and underneath a single art- zman, from the University of Western one of the secrets of Leonardo work. But the team was able to sample Australia, added there could be a link da Vinci’s creative style (1452– both types to establish the artwork's between the kangaroo painting and the 1519) and his art school. minimum and maximum ages. ancient art from other regions. The results of the study were published in the journal Digital Archaeology and Cultural Herit- age, Gleb Zilberstein, one of the participants in the project, who i.dailymail.co.uk works in Israel, noted. The Minsk Times He explained that the basis of the is a kind of template for the works of Thursday Renaissance images of the Madonna Leonardo’s school, a kind of ‘Da Vinci March 4 and Child Jesus is the radial arrange- cipher’,” said Mr. Zilberstein. 2021 ment of elements, which comes from the “After the fall of Constantinople, the Arab and Persian tradition and becomes canons of Orthodox church iconography typical for both the masterpieces of the came under the strong influence of East- Renaissance genius and his school. ern culture, including in Italy, which “Using digital technology, we have influenced the formation of the artistic analysed the technique of radial ar- style of the Renaissance, and in particu- rangement of elements from ancient lar the style of Leonardo,” he added. times to the Renaissance, and we can Materials prepared with aid 8 confidently say that this ‘Da Vinci seal’ of information agencies NATURE

blenda.by wildlife.by Wild and amazingly beautiful Personal exhibition of the Dutch photographer Leonardus Buijs, The Treasury of Belarus, takes place at the University of Culture Art Gallery in Minsk

By Irina Sergeeva

The exhibition includes photos of Belarus’ wildlife. “The photographer travels around the country in search of interesting pictures and during his trips becomes acquainted with new places and new people; in just 8 months he has travelled about 14,000km. In his work, Leonardus Buijs shows the beauty of Belarusian nature, as well as its uniqueness and fragility. His view from the outside on landscapes, familiar for Belarusians, helps unite the world of wild nature. In search of the perfect picture, the photographer polishes his skills and is constantly searching,” note the organisers of the exhibition. The wild nature of our land, captured by the Dutch photographer, appears in all its glory before the Minsk residents and visitors to the capital. The exhibition includes unusual photos of animals and birds living in Belarus in their natural environments. They hunt, pay court, look after their partners, show character, take care of their offspring... Leonardus Buijs, a 62-year-old photographer with a diploma from the International Federation of Photographic Art, was born in the Netherlands. He has been living in Minsk for about a year now and has become a member of the Minsk People’s Photo Club. Before moving to Belarus, he chaired a photo club in the city of Echt for five years, and during this time has risen to a high status in the Netherlands. The expert held master classes and organised photo trips while also lecturing and teaching beginners. You can learn about the wild nature of Belarus through the lens of the Dutch photographer until March 9th.

The Minsk Times Thursday March 4 2021 9 Gromnitsy arrives, take off your mittens Those in Belarusian Polesie know why candles are sometimes eaten and what spring will hold, as in the last winter month they have the authentic Slavic holiday of Gromnitsy. This day in the national calendar means the meeting of winter with spring.

By Yelena Terentyeva BELTA

Perhaps you heard the thunder in winter too? They say this can only hap- pen in mid-February, the only time during the winter months. In ancient times, these thunderstorms were explained simply: Perun the Thunderer lets the people know that frosts are losing their strength and transferring their dominion over to the warm winds. Very soon they will bring summer on their wings. How- ever, Perun is a harsh god and people were afraid of him, so they praised him in every possible way, trying to protect themselves. This is how a pagan tradi- TRADITIONS tion appeared, the Gromnitsy folk festival. By coincidence, Christians began to celebrate the Meeting of the Lord at this time (Catholics, on February 2nd and Orthodox believers, on February 15th).

The stuff of life Bread is honoured during Gromnitsy in many regions: a lush loaf is baked; a Christmas tree is placed in it and those in attendance can taste it. There will be bread, there will be songs! They lead two round dances separate- feet, as if stamping the snow also bake round, golden pancakes which ly: young girls perform the win- into the ground. are thrown in a stack across the gardens. ter circle dances while women, Each neighbour throws pancakes to their the summer dances. When they Let’s go ride with own neighbours to pave the way for the meet, they sing about their the beauty! sun to visit each house. winter troubles and praise the People in the village summer. Then they take out a of Novoe Polesie, in the Burn, burn bright! wheel decorated with ribbons Gomel Region, are the first The symbol of both church and na- and begin to sing ritual songs so to start inviting in spring tional holidays is candles. According to that as ‘the wheel rolls, the sun with their songs, round danc- the tradition, on this day they are conse- rolls over into the summer’. They es and magical rituals. crated with a special prayer, and after that also dance in pairs with a stamping of The Christmas tree decorat- they are called ‘gromnichnye’. These are ed with paper flowers is considered usually found behind icons. Whatever to be a symbol of the Gromnitsy holi- event happened, whether joyful or sad, BELTA day, symbolising eternal life, memories they were lit. Pieces of these candles of ancestors and the ritual of transition were worn as protective amulets, tak- from one season to another. en on a long journey or to an important They decorate the Christmas tree and, meeting, they were even given to eat as while singing a traditional song, hand it to medicine for seriously ill patients. Fur- a young girl, the men then take her to the thermore, people also burnt them during centre of the village on a sled. At every a severe thunderstorm so that lightning crossroads are different round dances, wouldn’t destroy the house. danced with candles in their hands. The Minsk Times Weather forecast Thursday Pancakes On Gromnitsy, people closely March 4 Gromnitsy is a festival for living fire, watched the weather. ‘Winter is angry 2021 which they try to create using the ancient during Gromnitsy, but it’s time to say method of rubbing wooden sticks together. goodbye’, goes the saying. If there is a Then the ‘gromnichnik’ is chosen, a thaw, the spring will be early and warm; man who lights candles from the fire to if there is a strong frost, the cold will give to all those present, then a bigger last for a long time and if it snows, the fire is made, and the round dances and spring will be rainy. games immediately begin. This year there was both snow and Young girls knock loudly on tins, so frost for the festival, so it doesn’t seem 10 that the spring can hear their call. They worth the wait for early spring. Jumping over borders Belarusian Athletics Championship brings European hopes SPORT By Dmitry Komashko bfla.eu World athletics is just beginning to make its way out of the snow and peek out of the quarantine restrictions. The Eu- ropean Athletics Indoor Championships, which kick off today, will be the first -ma jor international competition in the past 18 months. It will be a serious test that will allow us to assess who did what during the pandemic. However, it was possible to compare expectations and get a rough idea of the Belarusian ambitions in Toruń even before the start of the tournament. At the Belarusian Championship in Mogilev, the leaders of the national team decided who will go to Poland and why. The Olympiets Sports Complex is Anastasia Mironchik-Ivanova In the dramatic final, Svetlana Parakhonko, Ruslana Rashkovan, Elvira German a familiar place for Belarusian athletes. gave a spectacular series of jumps and Alina Talai competed for tickets to the European Championships It’s here that the lion’s share of the iconic events take place in winter, and therefore who recently updated the Belarusian re- the paths and areas are familiar. The en- Who participates in the European Championships cord, also missed the national champion- tourage is also familiar. While, through- ship. However, Anastasia Mironchik-Iva- out Europe, only echoes in empty stands 60m hurdles: Vitaly Parakhonko, nova got to Mogilev, showing miracles of can reflect the triumphant shouts of ath- Elvira German, Svetlana Parakhonko, self-control and professionalism. The day letes, the real atmosphere of competition Ruslana Rashkovan before, she participated in the Belarusian was felt in Mogilev. Yes, the snowfall that 60m: Kristina Timanovskaya, People’s Congress in Minsk, and in the hit the city adjusted the plans of those Yuri Zabolotny, Denis Bliznets, morning of the next day she entered the who were going to join the stands, and the Maksim Bogdan arena at the national championship and guard with a thermometer at the entrance 400m: Anna Mikhailova, Kristina Mulyarchik gave a spectacular series of jumps, the best was bored most of the time. However, at 1,500m: Darya Borisevich of which saw her reach 6.73m. the same time, the surroundings of the High jump: Maksim Nedosekov, Karina Demidik In the high jump, all attention was championship differed little from the Long jump: Vladislav Bulakhov, Anastasia Mironchik-Ivanova focused on Maksim Nedosekov and Ka- standards to which the Belarusian Athlet- Triple jump: Maksim Nesterenko, Violetta Skvortsova, rina Demidik. Maksim managed to take ic Federation has aspired in recent years. Irina Vaskovskaya 2.23m. In previous years, in his case it The most intriguing performances Pole vaulting: Irina Zhuk would have been just a ‘warm up’, but were announced on the sprint track and in Shot put: Dmitry Karpuk, Alena Dubitskaya this winter wasn’t easy for our jumper. Heptathlon: Maksim Andraloit, Vitaly Zhuk the jump events. Elvira German finished Therefore, even after the awards cere- third at the last European Indoor Athletics mony, he was as collected and focused as Championships two years ago, completing races that were expected to decide the fate possible. He said that he was getting less the 60m hurdles within 8 seconds. This of three places to the European Champi- stress, and explained his previous failures bfla.eu time, she posted her Glasgow bronze result onships. Ruslana Rashkovan and Svetlana by experiments with spiked shoes. Now during the preliminary race. In the final, she Parakhonko are really pressing her. In the he has returned to the previous ones and rewrote her personal record — 7.91! The preliminary round, Parakhonko was even the athlete himself, almost straight from figures are great, no matter how you look ahead of Alina Talai, and Rashkovan was the Olympiets, went to Poland. There was at them. We remember that, in Glasgow, at only 0.01 seconds behind her. In the final, an opportunity to test himself at a tourna- the last European Championships only the Alina greatly improved her speed and won ment in Toruń — exactly on the eve of Dutch Nadine Visser ran faster (and even 0.04 seconds against Rashkovan, but still the European Championships, which for then not by much). We notice the still red- the answer to the question about the sec- Nedosekov will also have an important dened eye of Elvira German herself, hit re- ond place at this distance wasn’t fixed. psychological significance. In addition, cently by a baseball — thrown unsuccess- In the hurdle sprint, four Belarusians in Poland, Nedosekov not only improved fully by a thrower — and because of which showed the results of the European the result, but also rewrote Belarus’ in- the athlete missed two weeks of training Championships final. As a result, Ger- door record which now stands at 2.34m, at the most crucial moment. Elvira smiled man, Talai and Rashkovan were expect- and this is the most serious application for and said that she would be ready for the ed to go to Toruń, but a few days ago, Maksim Nedosekov will try to get the European Championships! closer to his best results in Toruń performance in Toruń and wouldn’t be go- Alina Talai was forced to withdraw due Demidik also performed in Toruń ing there for bronze. At the same time, she to recurrence of an injury. She will be marked the receipt of official permission and the athlete repeated her personal admitted that at the start of the Belarusian replaced by Svetlana Parakhonko. to represent Belarus at the international record back in Mogilev, taking 1.94m. Championship it was unusually exciting. In jumps, only the pole remained with- level with a men’s world record — 5.60m Only three athletes went above this mark The rivals were very close, and it was these out top results in Mogilev. Matvey Volkov — but he set it in Polish Lodz. Irina Zhuk, in Europe this season. ARENA  Irina Zhuk  Belarusians win 12 awards Vladislav Moradi (both 69kg), Aleksandr  Belarusian tennis players renews her at the Aleksei Yukov Memorial Prudnikov (81kg), and Maksim Kudryavt- retain their positions in the world national pole Boxing Tournament sev (91kg). rankings vault record The tournament for boxers born from The event, that ended in Gomel, is The Women’s The Belarusian 2002-2003 was held in Gomel. It was most included in the competition calendar of Tennis Association athlete won the pres- successful for Kirill Levankov (56kg) the European Boxing Confederation. For (WTA) updated its tigious World Indoor Tour series in Madrid and Andrei Viktorovich (75kg), who both Belarusian athletes, it has become one of rankings on March with a new national record. Irina Zhuk was claimed the gold. the key stages of selection for the world 1st. The best Belaru- The Minsk Times competing for first place and, during one of Silver went to championships for this age category. sian female player, Thursday her attempts, set the bar at 4m 67cm. The Andrei Masalov Athletes from Spain, Kazakhstan, Kyr- Arina Sobolenko, is March 4 Belarusian conquered this height on her (81kg) and Vitaly gyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Uzbekistan still in 8th place with 2021 first try; the previous national record, which Ostanin (91kg). came together to honour the memory of 4,810 points. In the doubles ranking, Arina also belonged to her, was passed by 1cm. Meanwhile, the only Belarusian boxer who became the Sobolenko and Belgian Elise Mertens oc- Second place in Madrid was taken bronze medals champion of the USSR, six-time champi- cupy the leading positions. Viktoria Aza- by Tina Šutej from Slovenia while third were earned by on of the BSSR, five-time winner of the renko is placed 14th with 3,535 points, place went to Canadian Alysha Newman. Stanislav Koren- events for the All-Union Society Dinamo, Aleksandra Sasnovich has 838 points and Irina Zhuk previously fulfilled the kov and Maksim Krupovsky (both 60kg), bronze medallist at the 8th Spartakiad for is 96th while Olga Govortsova is 138th qualifying standard for participation in Aleksandr Dovnar, Roman Malinovsky the People of the USSR, and winner of with 572 points. Vera Lapko is 280th with the Tokyo Games. (both 64kg), Stanislav Shuplyakov, many international tournaments. 237 points. 11 The Minsk Times CALENDAR Thursday, March 4, 2021 Vitaly Pivovarchik

Photo of the week

Warm weather comes to Belarus

DATES. EVENTS. PEOPLE.

March 4th is Police Belarus, Vice-President of the Academy of in the CIS March 9th is World DJ Day — the Day in the Republic Sciences of Belarus. He is the author of the and non-CIS culmination of a week of charitable activities of Belarus. On March plays Who Laughs Last, Dear Man, People states and is a in support of children’s organisations held 4th, 1917, by the and Devils, Larks Are Singing, etc. He is also member of the on behalf of the international club industry order of the civil a winner of the USSR State Prize (1941, international around the world. commandant of the 1951, 1971) and Belarus State Prize (1974). organisation Traditionally, all city of Minsk, Mikhail He died in 1991. In 1996, in connection with of air carriers, profits received by Mikhailov (according the 100th anniversary of the birth of the IATA. DJs, clubs and radio to passport data, People’s Writer of Belarus, Kondrat Krapiva, stations on this his real name was Mikhail Frunze) was a memorial plaque was installed on the On March 7th, 321, Roman Emperor day are donated to appointed temporary head of the militia house where he lived in Minsk. Constantine I was the various international of the All-Russian Zemsky Union for the first in history to proclaim children’s funds and protection of order in the city of Minsk. On March 5th, Sunday a day off. According institutions. This date is considered to be the birthday 1936, in violation to the testimony of his of the Belarusian police. Today, the of the terms of contemporaries, in the entire On March 10th, 1946, Vladimir Gostyukhin Interior Ministry of Belarus is a Republican the Versailles history of the reign of this was born, an actor and People’s Artist of government body that fights crime and Peace Treaty, the Emperor, none of his other Belarus (1996). He starred in the films maintains public order while ensuring German Armed orders had caused greater joy Ascent, Coast, Time Chose Us, I’ll Take Your public safety. Forces occupied among the population. Pain, Urga, etc. He is a winner of the Lenin the demilitarised Komsomol Prize of Belarus (1980), state On March 5th, 1896, Kondrat Krapiva Rhineland. Thus began the territorial March 8th is International Women’s prizes of Belarus (1982), the USSR (1985) (real name Atrakhovich) was born (in seizures of the Nazis in Europe. Day, established in 1910 by the decision and Russia (1993). the village of Nizok, Uzda District, Minsk of the Socialist International at the 2nd At the international Region), a Belarusian playwright, writer, On March 5th, 1946, speaking at International Conference of Socialist Women film festivals in Italy linguist, public figure, People’s Writer of Westminster College in Fulton (Missouri, USA), in Copenhagen. It was first celebrated in (San Remo) and Belarus (1956), academician of the National Winston Churchill uttered the historic words 1911. The United Nations declared 1975 as Yugoslavia, he won Academy of Sciences of about the ‘iron curtain’ that divided Europe. the International Year of Women, since then the prize for ‘Best Belarus (1950), Doctor This marked the beginning of the Cold War. March 8th has been officially proclaimed Actor’. Furthermore, of Philology (1953), as International he is also a laureate Hero of Socialist Labour On March 5th, 1996, Belavia National Women’s Day. of the ‘For Spiritual Revival’ Award (2002), (1975), and Honoured Airline was established through the In modern the special prize of the President of the Scientist of Belarus reorganisation of the Belarusian Civil society, it is, first Republic of Belarus ‘For the Preservation (1978). He was the Aviation Association. The main regular and of all, a spring and Development of Spirituality Traditions Director of the Institute charter international flights are operated holiday and in Cinematography’ (2006) and the prize of of Linguistics of the by Belavia from the Minsk National Airport. commemorates the Union State in the field of literature and Academy of Sciences of The company has 17 representative offices landmark women. art (2007).

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