"How soon will the whole of Voronezh start speaking Belarusian?" or how the opening of the Summer School of Belarusian Language and Culture went

The Summer School of Belarusian Language and Culture "Under the Bright Name of Kupala" has started at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno for the sixth time. The atmosphere of the solemn opening resembled a heartfelt meeting of good friends: here they sincerely smiled at those who have been coming to Grodno for more than a year, and welcomed new lovers of the Belarusian word with an open heart. Ahead of the participants are 12 unforgettable days filled with discoveries, language practice and warm human communication.

The cozy meeting was opened by Mikalai Grynko, Director of the Scientific Library and the inspirational leader of this large-scale project:

– It has become a good tradition that the Summer School of Belarusian Language and Culture "Under the Bright Name of Kupala" annually at the beginning of August welcomes its friends within the walls of YKSUG – the university located in the most picturesque and fairy-tale city of Belarus. We sincerely welcome you! We are very glad to see those whom we met last year and the year before, whom we see for the third or even fourth time. And, of course, we are very glad to see our new guests. I hope you are with us for the first time, but by no means the last!

Vice-Rector for Research Natalia Bashun addressed the participants and guests with a welcoming speech:

– Dear participants of the Summer School and guests of our country! On behalf of the Rector of the University Iryna Kiturka and our entire university community, we sincerely welcome you to Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. Today is a real celebration for us. The School has become a beautiful tradition and opens its doors for the sixth time. Ahead of you are 50 academic hours – and these are not just classroom sessions, but a deep acquaintance with the originality and uniqueness of the Belarusian language. We have 12 days of joint work ahead of us. I believe that they will become a source of inspiration, new creative ideas for everyone and will leave the warmest memories.

After such an inspiring start, Angelina Yankelayt presented a musical gift to those present.

As Mikalai Grynko noted, the Summer School of Belarusian Language and Culture did not appear out of nowhere. It is the final chord of a large-scale annual project of the Scientific Library – the competition "Get to Know Belarus with Us!" Once it started as an initiative only for students of Lomonosov Moscow State University, but over time the geography expanded, and today students of Voronezh State University also actively participate in it. During the solemn and homely warm opening, Natalia Bashun presented diplomas to the winners of this competition.

Next, the floor was taken by Daria Goltsova, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Slavic Philology of Voronezh State University:

– I am very glad that I am attending the opening of the Summer School for the fourth time. The beginning of August for us is always cozy Grodno streets, Belarusian hospitality, wonderful language and, of course, people – library staff who create this fairy tale for us. Our Voronezh delegation is constantly growing: in the first year there were two of us, in the second – immediately seven, in the third – nine, and this year ten participants came! The numbers speak for themselves. We are always sincerely introduced to Grodno, and this year we also decided to introduce you to our hometown: we prepared a video, and also brought a book about Voronezh and delicious Voronezh chocolates as a gift to the hospitable table.

However, the Voronezh delegation was not the only one able to surprise with gifts! For active scientific, educational and cultural cooperation, as well as for the popularization of the Belarusian language, literature and culture, Daria Goltsova was awarded a letter of gratitude from Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. The guests joked not without reason: with such sincere affection for the Belarusian word on the part of Voronezh students, it is not surprising if soon their efforts will make the whole of Voronezh speak Belarusian!

Ahead of the participants are busy days full of interesting classes, exciting master classes and unforgettable journeys. We wish them success and inspiration! And we will continue to follow the daily life of the Summer School of Belarusian Language and Culture and tell you about the achievements of its students!