Good books, coffee from acorns, autographs of stars. What was memorable about the Day of Lida

Topic news For the 32nd time, one of the country's cities has been given the status of literary capital. This year, the roads of book and word art lovers led to Lida, where the 32nd Day of Belarusian Literature was celebrated on a grand scale. The program of the holiday combined three main topics: the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Year of Improvement, and the 500th anniversary of the publication of the book "Apostle" by Francysk Skaryna. These topics were played out poetically, musically, gastronomically, touristically, and even architecturally. BELTA correspondents captured the most interesting moments.

A Celebration of Creativity

it is difficult to count how many poems were written for this holiday by authors of different ages. By the way, the slogan of the Day of Literature was also poetically played out: "The Lida land warms and protects, greets with the Belarusian word." On September 6 and 7, Lida honored the winners of numerous competitions - from just beginning creators to recognized masters who were awarded the National Literary Prize.
As noted by the Minister of Information Marat Markov, more than 8 thousand books with a total circulation of about 19 million copies are published in the country every year. Many of them were presented in the exhibitions. The classics are alive and revered. Thus, a mural with a portrait of Yanka Kupala appeared in Lida.  Local authorities
were able to harmoniously combine the creative heritage with elements of urban improvement. During the celebration of the Day of Writing in Lida, a monumental and decorative sculpture, an inclusive art object "Verabeyki", created based on the poem by Valentin Tavlai, was opened. He wrote this work when he was a seven-year-old boy. The sculpture was placed near the poet's house-museum. The Book and Press Festival became the trajectory of creativity in all regions. Here they sang, quoted, improvised, held master classes, autograph sessions and, of course, treated everyone. Activities from BELTA  Connoisseurs of spectacle, seekers of historical truth and those who wanted to get charged with an excellent mood were awaited in the interactive zone near the BELTA pavilion. The news agency offered maximum activities for every taste, repertoire and even weight. A large-scale patriotic flash mob with 30 representatives of the Kettlebell Marathon Federation was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. Kettlebell lifters lined up in the number 80 and synchronously lifted 24-kilogram weights 80 times . These sports equipment soared upward with seeming ease. For the bravest, multiple world record holder in kettlebell lifting Vyacheslav Khoroneko held a master class.  The guests of the location could try themselves in the role of searchers - using special equipment and metal detectors to find objects and artifacts of the Second World War in the sand. The exhibition of finds of the 52nd separate search battalion of the Ministry of Defense presented samples of weapons, soldiers' medallions, awards from the Great Patriotic War. 




The famous Belarusian children's writer, First Deputy Chairperson of the Union of Writers of Belarus Elena Stelmakh revealed the behind the scenes of creating good books for children, answered questions and presented the most active participants with an autographed copy of the book "Pashka and the Sunbeam" as a keepsake. The Belarusian writer, a native of Lida, laureate of the National Literary Prize (2021) Viktor Pravdin also dropped by the pavilion to meet with readers. He presented new books and left autographs. Every hour - meetings, presentations, records and creativity without borders. Thus, the readers were presented with a new book by BELTA , created jointly with the Belarusian Orthodox Church and representatives of the Zhirovichi Monastery. These are 12 life stories of clergy and monks who defended their homeland with both God's word and weapons in hand during the Great Patriotic War, and after that - revived the country, built churches, strengthened people's faith in God. Another new product of the Belarusian Telegraph Agency is the book "Citadels of Courage". This is a project about settlements awarded the pennant "For Courage and Fortitude during the Great Patriotic War", as well as about the facts of unprecedented heroism of the Red Army soldiers, partisans, underground fighters - all those who brought Victory closer in the occupied territory of Belarus. The culmination of the first day was a meeting and autograph session with members of the Belarusian State Ensemble "Pesnyary". 
All guests noted the warm atmosphere at the pavilion. The postal event was especially touching . Together with the Grodno branch of the RUE "Belpochta", a field post office of the 1940s was organized, where everyone could send a letter (a triangle from the war) to any address in Belarus for free.
Light of Spirituality

The route of the scientific and educational expedition "Road to the Shrines" ended in Lida. The pilgrimage route this year was 777 km - it began in MINSK, went to the Baranovichi region, passed through Zelva, Oshmyany, Ivye. Each stop of the expedition gave warm meetings, discoveries, emotions and inspiration. The pilgrims talked with parishioners of churches, met with representatives of work collectives, got to know the sights and memorable places better.
The gentle flickering of the candle flame, the triumph of the prayer word under the arches of the church - the divine liturgy and the procession from St. Michael's Cathedral to St. George's Church became a beautiful end to the expedition. 

The residents of Lida also joined this action. The column walked accompanied by a sacred object - a lamp with the Holy Fire from the Holy Sepulcher, icons. 

At the opening of the Day of Belarusian Literature, Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, recalled the deep historical roots of the holiday. "And these days we honor the memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius - our spiritual mentors. The feat of the brothers' holiness is in unity with the feat of their educational and missionary service among the Slavic peoples," he emphasized.  
Every year, the cities where the holiday is held change, new books are published, but the tradition of organizing a scientific and educational expedition "Road to the Shrines" remains unchanged. "It also has an educational mission - it gives an opportunity to different residents of large and small settlements to join this celebration of the word and our spirituality. It is spiritual life that improves a person, gives strength and strengthens, directs them to accomplishments, deeds of mercy. It forms a person and is a reflection of his inner world. Therefore, together we must take care that only kind words are on our lips. And the Day of Belarusian Literature gives us an opportunity to become closer to each other, returns us to the origins of Christian culture, introduces young people to our history and native literature," Metropolitan Veniamin noted.

Vigor with the taste of oak

It was physically impossible to cover all the activities at the locations in one day, especially if you delve into all the traditions and authentic moments. Therefore, invigorating drinks are always appropriate. A tasting of an unusual drink was held in the pavilion of the Ostrovets District Library -coffee from acorns. More than once we had to repeat to the amazed guests what this coffee is made from and how. "Yes, there are a lot of oak groves in our area. And thanks to our ancestors, who knew how to use these gifts of nature and passed down recipes from generation to generation, we managed to preserve the original recipes for making acorns. Our employees collect these fruits at a certain time, dry them in a certain way and prepare various healthy dishes," said the library representatives. And for BELTA they revealed the secrets of making coffee: ripe acorns are peeled, cut into pieces and dried in the oven, then they are roasted and ground. The brewed drink has a unique taste, which can be supplemented with MILK or SUGAR.
The cultural institution even published a collection of recipes from acorns. It includes a recipe for milky acorn soup, sweet cakes, dumplings, etc. They also included a recipe for FLOUR from acorns from besieged Leningrad. With a coarse grind, you can make porridge from it, a finer grind is suitable for flatbreads.

There is a coffee shop next to the library where they brew coffee from acorns.

Pleasant aftertaste

Journalists, especially universal ones who write on various topics, are not easy to surprise. But the organized press tour was generous with "wow" emotions. Victoria Futrina, editor-in-chief of the Mayak newspaper of the Gomel region, covered the maximum of the program. Having joined the press tour, which this year became a novelty of the Day of Belarusian Literature, she visited the sights, as well as enterprises of the region. "I am very grateful to the organizers of the press tour - they created all the conditions for us to work. It was impossible not to fall in love with Lida with such an approach. Together with colleagues, we visited enterprises that are known far beyond the borders of our country. To see everything from the inside and learn the intricacies of the processes is always a journalist's success. The ceremonies and concerts themselves at the opening and closing of the holiday were very colorful and bright," she shared. The journalist also noted that lounge areas were prudently created in various corners, including near the main stage, where one could enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy dishes made according to original recipes and quench one's thirst with branded kvass. The holiday left a pleasant aftertaste. Next year, the Day of Belarusian Literature will be hosted. The Mogilev Region is already preparing its surprises. 

BELTA,
photo by Tatyana MATUSEVICH.