Learned about the work of young cultural workers in the Beshenkovichi district
The second Sunday of October is the day when people of arts are congratulated. These are actors and directors, artists and poets, museum and library workers, composers and art teachers... In short, people whose activities are at the intersection of traditions, inspiration, and civic mission.
Those who preserve the cultural identity of the nation. This year, this day is October 12.
The Beshenkovichi land is famous for its talents, some of which flourish in a tandem of experience and youth, as significant attention is paid to the continuity of generations here. On the eve of the professional holiday, we met with young representatives of the region's cultural sphere. We learned about their path to the profession.
Varvara Shipulya, a participant of the folk ensemble of folk songs "Vesyaluha" and the head of the children's exemplary folk-style ensemble "Zvonitsa," is a local from Beshenkovichi.
"I have been passionate about music since childhood, I played the piano, and later the flute captured my heart. Therefore, my professional choice was conscious," Varvara began her story. "My grandmother instilled a love for music in me; she sang in the church choir, played something for me on the piano, and I sang along. Novopolotsk State Musical College provided a solid classical foundation. I started my career in Polotsk, at a general education school with a musical focus. These two years were an invaluable experience, where I learned not only to impart knowledge to children but also to share my love for art with them, to see their first successes, and to rejoice with them.
After a short break, which helped to rethink my goals and gain new strength, I happily returned to my beloved work. Since March of this year, I have been part of the team of the district cultural center. This is a new and very interesting stage in my life, which opens up different facets of working in the arts for me – now with a broader, multi-generational audience.
I believe that music and art are not a subject or a hobby; they are the language of the soul. I have always wanted to be not just a musician, but a guide into this amazing world. I felt the desire and need to share emotions and inspiration. My profession allows me to do this every day, and that is its main value for me.
Currently, the main task is to immerse myself as much as possible in the work of the RCC, actively participate in projects and events, and become a full-fledged and useful part of this friendly team, where we all, regardless of experience and age, are on equal footing. In the future, I plan to continue developing in the field, possibly mastering new directions. For example, I am already working with AI, thanks to which interesting works for "Zvonitsa" are beginning to be created.
A fellow student has always been an example for self-improvement; her energy and ability to improvise were admirable, which also motivated me to act. In childhood, I adored the voice of Polina Gagarina. Here, the inspirer, motivator, and idea generator is Irina Igorevna Pavlovskaya. I was also captivated by the vocal mastery of Olga Alexandrovna Sergienko.
Creativity is not a profession. It is a way of life. It is a way to find joy in the process itself and to share that joy with others. This is the life credo of Varvara Shipulya.
***
"Cultural workers are a connecting link between the past, present, and future," believes Veronika Golovneva, a cultural organizer at the RCC. "They shape public perception, contribute to strengthening identity, and create reasons for pride and self-recognition. I always wanted to connect my life with creativity. I graduated from art school, dreamed of being an artist, but at some point (perhaps it was the influence of numerous events, contests where we, children, performed on the school stage) I wanted to master the acting profession. Why not? After all, I enjoyed going on stage as a child, trying on the roles of various characters. I did well, according to the teachers' assessments. I started preparing for the entrance exams.
I mastered the specialty "Acting Art" at the Vitebsk State College of Culture and Arts. After graduation, I wanted to return to my homeland (I am originally from Ostrovno), I had planned this in advance, which is why I took a targeted placement. Last year, I joined the ranks of the friendly team of the district cultural center."
Veronika organizes events for children, game programs, and passes on her knowledge and skills – how to speak and behave confidently on stage, improvise, feel the audience, and create a unique atmosphere – to the kids (there are 13 of them, all of different ages, from 1st to 9th grade) who come to her acting studio "Golovolomka" twice a week. In addition, she successfully performs as a host. She demonstrated her skills at the regional competition "I am a Host!", where she won 3rd place. It is noteworthy that there are no representatives of this field among her relatives.
«My family didn't immediately accept my choice, but they supported me. My heart was set on art, I felt it was my calling. As it turned out, my intuition didn't let me down, – notes Veronika. – This profession requires a lot of emotion and energy, so be prepared to dedicate yourself to it completely. If you see yourself in something else, don't tie your life to art.
The college gave me a lot. The most important things are experience and a sense of freedom. You do what you like and think less about others' opinions. After all, it is through creativity, enlightenment, and art that national identity is formed. I consider myself lucky with my chosen field. They say the best job is a hobby that also pays money. At the beginning of my life path, I have already managed to fall in love with this profession».
***
Sound engineer Alina Leichenko comes from a musical family, but fate didn't immediately lead her into culture. Although, even when she was in kindergarten, she studied ballet and dreamed of playing the piano. She studied at a music school for seven years. She planned to become a choir vocal teacher, but mastered the profession of a secretary and a 7th-category computer operator.
“I took my first steps into the profession in Ushachi, and after completing my mandatory service, I returned to my hometown (I am originally from Verkhovye),” Alina shares her story. “It was in 2024, and Sveccha needed a cultural organizer for a 0.5 position. I was considering it, but then I was offered a full-time position as head of the club in Rzhavka. Some time later, I got my current position at the RCC. This year, I enrolled in the College of Culture and Arts to study the organization of leisure events.”
It was her first year of work, and she was already singing. She had someone to look up to: her grandfather and his three sons performed on stage; they even had their own band. Her grandmother loved to dance the quadrille and polka with him, and her mother once performed on the radio, singing and accompanying herself on the guitar. During her years of study, Alina’s singing talent blossomed even further, and her skills were honed as she participated in the youth center and took an active part in the college’s public life, particularly in concert activities.
“On stage, you are a queen. These words are my support, my mindset before a performance. I repeat them, and the nervousness disappears, a spark appears in my eyes. We are meant to create a celebration for people,” says the interviewee. “I am involved in organizing discos, responsible for connecting and operating equipment, providing musical accompaniment for concerts and children’s game contests, and preparing exhibitions. I enjoy it all, although there are difficulties. For example, during a large-scale New Year’s event, all the children want attention, everyone wants to be involved in the celebration, which is not easy to achieve in a small space. Nevertheless, we manage, and the children are happy.”
***
Yulia Polozova from Vitebsk was also brought to Beshenkovichi land by fate. The methodologist for multimedia technologies and technical means of the RCK dreamed of a career as a teacher or law enforcement officer and of studying in the capital. From early childhood, she danced and sang in a choir. When the time came, she made her choice – the specialty "Advertising and Public Relations" at the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts. However, during her student years, she participated in various public events, it was interesting to get behind the scenes, and the world of art opened up in a new light.
"I often came to Beshenkovichi. Not far from the district center, we have a house in the village, where my grandparents once lived. At the beginning of my fourth year, when I was deciding on a place for my internship and the topic of my thesis, I thought, why not choose something familiar," says Yulia. "In February-March of this year, I completed my internship at the RCK, they offered me to stay here after graduation, and I gladly agreed. Life in the capital did not attract me; I liked it right here. This calm and measured rhythm of life.
In my family, there are accountants, builders, and law enforcement officers. I am the only one who chose the path of culture. I don't think I could work in any other field now. Every day here is something new: one day you sing, the next you paint or dance. There's also paperwork and social media management, where we need to inform about the center's activities. It's wonderful that both children and veterans are involved here. It's inspiring. I've been working for three months, but it feels like a year in this field, and I'm sure that a cultural worker is not just a profession, but a way of life, a calling.
***
Alina Tkachenok, a choreographer at the children's art school, is from Beshenkovichi. She has been with the art school since last year, having completed her internship here while in her 4th year. She studied folk dance, which she adores immensely, at the Vitebsk State College of Culture and Arts.
«As a child, I was an energetic child and the youngest in the family (there are four of us). To channel my energy in a positive direction, my parents enrolled me in dance classes," says the interviewee. "I can say I'm a pioneer in this field. No one in my family had professions related to creativity. At the end of the 7th grade, I decided that dance was my calling. I took a targeted placement. The amazing world of folk dance was revealed to me by my teacher, Alesya Alexandrovna Shevtsova. My studies flew by quickly, I've been working for the second year now and plan to improve. I dream of my own studio. Folk dances serve as a source of inspiration, especially the spectacular, charismatic Gypsy dance.
I like my job, although it is sometimes physically demanding. But I overcome fatigue by following the principle: there is no word "no," there is the word "must." This is my motivation. After all, children from the 2nd to the 7th grade attend my classes, each of them needs to be taught the material correctly, explained, shown, sometimes reprimanded, but also praised. In a word, to give them attention and warm them with the warmth of my soul."
***
Elena Valyavko, a cello teacher at the Children's Art School, is also our countrywoman, from Beshenkovichi. She has been part of a team of people dedicated to creativity for the second year. She performs in a folk choir and is a member of a folk orchestra of folk instruments. She opted for a targeted placement to ensure she would return to her native land.
"My mother played the violin and was a drummer (incidentally, I also started with this instrument). In the 2nd grade, I was captivated by the velvety sound of the cello, and by the 3rd grade, I was already studying the basics of the craft at the Children's Art School under Tatyana Vasilyevna Beresten. I didn't think about other professions. I saw my goal and pursued it," emphasizes Elena. "I enjoy finding an approach to the children; each of them has their own character. When I manage to ignite a spark in their eyes, to captivate them with the beauty of music, the feeling is indescribable, it's simply wonderful.
The first competition I participated in didn't bring victory, but my college teacher said, 'There is no limit to perfection!' I still live by this credo. I am honing my skills at the Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University.
Music for me is life, harmony. It is invaluable for development; thanks to it, a person improves. The main thing is to spark interest so that they want to engage. When I bring a student into the classroom, I always play a recording of a concert so that the child can hear the sound of the instrument, and I perform something myself. The children want to learn to play just like that, and I tell them they can even do better."
Dear friends, representatives of the cultural sphere, experienced and novice, thank you for your work! For creating a good mood, delighting with talent and creativity, worthily representing the district at numerous competitions and festivals of various levels, preserving and reviving folk traditions and national culture. In a word, for making our lives brighter and more beautiful. We wish you good health, inexhaustible inspiration, energy and creativity, new ideas and the conquest of new heights of the musical, creative Olympus!
Maria SANKO.