Vytynanka master class and excursion to the first capital of the GDL: What awaits participants of the Summer School of Belarusian Language and Culture

Next week, the Summer School of Belarusian Language and Culture "Under the Bright Name of Kupala" will open its doors for the sixth time. This is a unique space for those who wish to learn the richness of the Belarusian word and touch the depths of national heritage. What have the organisers prepared for participants this year?

The geography of the project expands every year: traditionally, students from Lomonosov Moscow State University and Voronezh State University come to us. This year, they will be joined by students from Nekrasov Pedagogical College from St. Petersburg and representatives of Moscow State Pedagogical University. In addition, this season the school expects guests from Poland and Spain.

The daily schedule is built as efficiently as possible: the first half is dedicated to intensive classroom sessions, and the second half is devoted to cultural, excursion and creative programmes. In total, students will have 50 academic hours, most of which are devoted to in-depth study of the Belarusian language.

The educational block covers the most interesting sections of linguistics. In orthoepy classes with the meaningful title "Say Something So I Can See You," participants will practice correct pronunciation and euphony of the language. The works of Maria Yakaltsevich, Associate Professor of the Department of Belarusian Philology, dedicated to the image of women in Belarusian paremiology (proverbs and sayings), promise to arouse great interest, which is very symbolic in the Year of the Belarusian Woman.

Special attention will be paid to non-equivalent vocabulary – distinctive Belarusian words that have no direct analogues in other languages and reflect unique folk concepts (for example, buslyanka or znichka). The rich phraseological heritage, which is considered one of the richest in the Slavic world, will be revealed to participants by Iryna Khlusevich, Associate Professor of the Department of Belarusian Philology.

In addition, students will examine the peculiarities of agreement and government in the Belarusian language in comparison with other languages. Practical work with the thematic fields "City" and "Man," where students will process a wide layer of relevant vocabulary, will help consolidate the knowledge gained.

An entertaining block of thematic lectures on Belarusian literature has also been prepared for the school participants. Students will immerse themselves in the world of women's poetry and learn the creative heritage of Ivan Melezh during the lecture "Singer of Polesie." And Sviatlana Tarasova, Associate Professor of the Department of Belarusian Philology, will conduct a class "Chernobyl Themes in Belarusian Literature," where she will introduce participants to both classical works (for example, the novel "Evil Star" by Ivan Shamyakin) and the works of contemporary authors.

Participants of the Summer School will get to know Belarusian culture together with Aleksandr Gorny, Associate Professor of the Department of Belarusian History, Archaeology and Special Historical Disciplines, during classes dedicated to the formation of the national Belarusian idea. And the lecture "And the Hand Weaves, Forgetting" will reveal the secrets of the famous Slutsk belts. There will also be interactive elements. Participants can expect a traditional Belarusian cuisine master class "Taste It – Delicious!" and a lively Belarusian karaoke, which is always very active.

However, the Summer School programme is not limited to classroom sessions.

– Of course, we have prepared sightseeing tours of Grodno for participants, with a mandatory visit to the Kalozha Church. Those who come to us for the third or fourth time say with a smile: "There is never too much Kalozha in Grodno!" Also, on Sunday, August 9, we have a Museum Day planned. In addition, we have developed two excursion day programmes. On Friday, we will head to Novogrudok – the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. There, participants will be treated to a master class on vytynanka (paper cutting) and vybivanka (fabric printing) by a folk master. By the way, Belarusian vytynanka was recently included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Next, in Raitse, we will see one of the most interesting churches – the Church of St. Barbara – and try our hand at straw weaving. The second excursion day is dedicated to a trip to the Augustów Canal and Sapotskin, where participants will awaken their creative inspiration at a master class on Belarusian pysanka (Easter egg decoration), – Nikolay Grinko, Director of the Scientific Library, spoke about the rich programme.

On the last day, Self-Government Day will traditionally take place. Every year its theme is updated: previously, participants created a "Museum of Myself," a "Museum of the Group," and on the fifth anniversary year – a "Museum of the Summer School." This year, the concept was formulated quite affirmatively: "Where Can One Be Happy? In Grodno!!!"