The Republic of Belarus hosts the presentation of the third season of the international literary contest for schoolchildren
The Yanka Kupala Central Library in Minsk once again became the venue for the St Petersburg University Day in the Republic of Belarus. During the event, there was a presentation of the third season of the international research contest "Literary destinies of Belarus and Russia: from dialogue to understanding". It is held by the University with the support of the office of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) in the Republic of Belarus.
In the 2023/2024 academic year, the contest is dedicated to the study of the works of two outstanding writers of the 20th century — Yakub Kolas and Mikhail Sholokhov. One of the central themes of their works is the relationship between man and his small homeland — his native land and native nature. Their hero is a man of the people. He lives against the backdrop of changing historical times, and the writer, looking closely at the man, tries to show how his view of the world changes and from where he draws his vitality.
According to Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions of St Petersburg University, the contest invites Belarusian and Russian schoolchildren to: study this topic and other features of the works of Yakub Kolas and Mikhail Sholokhov in more detail; and use analytical and creative skills in preparing their own research.
The future contestants were addressed with the words of wisdom by representatives of the partner institutions of the contest: Andranik Ovsepian, Consultant of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Republic of Belarus; and Elena Matveeva, Director of Minsk Centralised System of State Public Libraries. Speeches were also made by: Ivan Saverchenko, Director of the Yanka Kupala Institute of Literary Studies of the Centre for Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature Research of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus; and Olga Anistratenko, Director of the National Sholokhov Museum-Reserve.
Vasilina Mitskevich, the great-granddaughter of the great writer, Chief Curator of the funds of the State Literary-Commemorative Museum of Yakub Kolas, shared her experience of studying the creative and life parallels of the two writers and wished the future contestants success and inspiration.
As a token of appreciation for the openness to cooperation and long-term comprehensive support of the project, the University donated books by the St Petersburg University Publishing House to the Minsk Centralised System of State Public Libraries. At the end of the St Petersburg University Day, Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions, told the meeting participants about: the history of the oldest university of Russia; its educational potential and its academic and research subdivisions; the resources available for use; and extracurricular activities. He also provided information about the admission campaign in 2024.
Aleksandr Babich gave detailed information about participation in the literary contest and subsequent enrolment in St Petersburg University in his interview to the radio of the project’s information partner — the Sputnik Belarus news agency.
As part of their visit to Minsk, the representatives of St Petersburg University visited the State Literary-Commemorative Museum of Yakub Kolas. Vasilina Mitskevich, Chief Curator of the Museum’s funds, introduced the guests to the history and current activities of the museum. The guests also participated in a roundtable discussion on the prospects of cooperation to promote the literary heritage of the Union State. The meeting was moderated by Irina Kozlovich, Academic Secretary of the Museum.
To discuss current issues of interaction, the delegation of St Petersburg University visited the Belarusian State University. At the business meeting, the progress of projects under the existing agreements on cooperation between the universities was discussed, including work on a joint academic programme in physics. As a result of the negotiations, the partner universities agreed to expand cooperation in the field of youth policy by developing new projects and organising joint events aimed at preserving the common historical memory of the events of World War II.