Belarusian province. Part 2: Village
Post categories: Student blog
| 14:57 UK time, Wednesday, 8 December 2010
If you are still not bored with Belarusian province, let's go to countryside to complete the picture of it.
The house next to the right of my grandfather’s is empty, and the next to the next one is empty too, the house next to the right of his one is also empty, and the next to the next one...
Here you’ll find spectacular landscapes, peace and tranquility. That’s a marvelous change from the daily routine that makes you perceive time differently.
Though, I still remember the times when one sitting on a bench could hear and discuss the latest news against a barking-moo- baa-gaggle- cock-a-doodle-doo- cluck background here. But years are going by; the local inhabitants are getting older and older and pass away... (my grandfather is almost 81 and he is among the oldest there) while young people are not in a hurry to occupy the places. It is getting more and more quiet and calm. And the situation is quite typical for the country. Why so?
We have State Programme of Rural Revival and Development, given by the Belarusian leader in September 2003, to make rural life more attractive. The total sum planned for its realization was 69,8 trillion rubles (according to the prices of 2005; now $1 = Br3015). It is said that “the rural areas account for 90 percent of this country’s territory. Over 30 percent of the population reside there. It is the rural public that ensures the food security of our country. What is more, the villages are the source and keeper of the national traditions, of the Belarusian language, of the folklore, of the folk arts. To preserve and develop this source is an important task of the State. Today’s socio-economic situation in this republic makes it possible to start efficient implementation of that task”. And Alexander Lukashenko emphasized: “Man must be the focal point of the Programme, all the rest comes next. What is most important in this connection is creating agrarian population centres and equipping them with an appropriate infrastructure and only after it comes to tractors, livestock and so on.”
Sounds not so bad and sometimes looks not so bad too... They build new houses for young people; there are schools and kindergartens in the biggest or central villages of a rural economy... There are shops and post offices. But the houses are not always of a good quality, there are not enough teachers at schools, the choice of goods in the shops is not wide and mobile communication doesn’t work well here and there... The facilities outside the house is still a common thing, what can make one’s life (mine, for example) a misery, let alone talking about hot water and the Internet. And even a new sport center would hardly attract yesterday's students spoilt by big-cities life to move to village.
Comment number 1.
At 8th Dec 2010, Veronika wrote:p.s.: Thanks to my mom for these wonderful pics! :)
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Dec 2010, Majka wrote:Hi Veronica,
I must say that we are neighbours, I'm from Poland. Our cultures are not different, especially in the north-east regions. In my country also are such old, beatiful houses with colorful window shutters. We have the same problems, our small villiges are depopulated. Young people prefer move to big cities where they have much more changes to find a job. Although lately more and more farmers transform your farms into booming business I mean agricultural tourism. I always repeat that our landscapes are really wonderful, natural work of art, we have all: lowlans, uplands, mountains, lakes, forest, wilderness... and what's important nice, friendly people, in Poland we are saying: "Guest at home God at home". I think that hospitality is our common Slavic features.
Warm greetings,
Majka
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Dec 2010, mbagema wrote:Dear Veronika,
I would like to thank you for your interesting posts and beutiful photos! I like your style very much it is easy. And I like subjects what you write about.
I think in our country people don't like to live in villages too. All the young people go from village to the some nearest town to work or to study, and from towns people go to the capital or another big cities. So there are only older people in the villages. I came to Moscow from a littel town too. And although it was my own cause not connect with economic situation, now I understand that in my home town I won't be able to find such an interesting job if I decide to come back. Fortunately I like big city and I am ready to take some of the difficulties that accompany it. But I know some people who doesn't like Moscow or other big cities and they live here only because they have good work and good earnings here.
I look forward to reading your next post.
Best regards,
Marina from Moscow.
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Comment number 4.
At 10th Dec 2010, beatriz wrote:Dear Veronika: Incredible the photos, thanks to you and to your mom. As usual, very interesting and clear your writing. Congratulations and thanks again for your posts. Beatriz. BA.
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Comment number 5.
At 12th Dec 2010, Veronika wrote:Hello, dear friends!
Nice to meet neighbors here:)
Dear Majka,
our landscapes are wonderful,but as you and Marina said there is more possibilities in big cities...
Thanks to Beatriz and all of you for your comments, see you ;)
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Comment number 6.
At 29th Dec 2010, Taru wrote:Hi Veronica!
You have send beautiful photos of your village and grandpa's livinghood. The problems you described are very common all around the world considering the rural areas.
I live 45 km away from town and go for work daily there. Sometimes it is hard expecially on Autumns when it is dark and the roads aren't at good condition.
Living in this peace and close touch with nature is the prize of driving long distance and the lack of the structured hobby opportunities. We have an internet but it is not so quick as it would be at town. It is appropriate for this but not for a negotations with distance work fellows.
Your lands heritage at rural areas seems to be worth of conversate. The decorations of the houses are beautiful and remines my own heritage which is in the old Carelia, North from Laatokka. Please, do not lose it. When all cities and centres are overgrounded and dirthy, your place will be on a top value.
all the best you and your country
Taru
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