Year of the Small Motherland 2020
Professor Anton Vavilov: "Postavy heals and inspires me"
Every person cherishes the place where they were born and raised, their small motherland. For me, this is Postavy - my childhood, my dreams, my first steps towards understanding the world.
A small, well-kept town, magnificent surroundings with a beautiful forest, where I went every summer for mushrooms and berries, with numerous small lakes where fish were visible even at great depths, which beckoned me to fishing happiness.
In the 50s and early 60s, when my childhood fell, due to the proximity of a military airfield, planes constantly flew over Postavy, and formidable modern weapons - missiles - moved along the city streets, as a missile unit was based a few kilometers from the district center. All this evoked in me, a boy, a sense of the significance of my small motherland and its connection with the large one - called the Soviet Union.
Postavy is a place on the geographical map where important events took place that influenced the course of the history of the Russian state and even world history. This is primarily the First World War, a tragic event - the famous Naroch Offensive Operation of the Russian army in the spring of 1916, which, as is known, influenced the fate of the French state. True, we, the boys who rode bicycles to the area of the village of Duki to climb the preserved fortifications of that war, did not really realize what we were touching. It was later, thanks to extensive research carried out by scientists, the staff of the Postavy Local History Museum, local historians and volunteers, that historical memory was restored - a worthy museum exhibition dedicated to the First World War was designed, the remains of more than 100 soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army were found and reburied with military honors, and the military-historical reconstruction "Postavy Frontier" was held.
And then came the realization of what land you were born on. I am proud that my countrymen have done so much to preserve in history the memory of those tragic events and their participants.
By the way, my grandfather, Vavilov Sergey Filatovich, was also drafted into the Russian army and sent to Postavy to participate in the First World War, and then married a local woman, which later determined my birthplace.
I would like to specifically share my childhood impressions of the nature of my small homeland. When I was five years old, my parents brought me to visit my aunt, my mother's sister, in the village of Volozhino. Of course, I liked Postavy, but here I saw a beautiful village house, and around it were thickets of raspberries, with large red sweet berries hanging from their branches. As adults often recalled later, amazed by such beauty, I exclaimed: "This is better than Moscow!", although at that time I had not yet been to Moscow and only knew it from beautiful pictures. Subsequent trips to Volozhino never ceased to surprise me with something new and unusual. My uncle successfully combined two professions - gardener and beekeeper, so in his garden, one tree could have several varieties of apples that differed in taste, color, and size. And all around, industrious bees flew, collecting nectar from wildflowers and everything that was in bloom at that time. In the distance from the estate, a forest was visible, which beckoned with an abundance of mushrooms, mainly porcini and aspen boletes. But the height of bliss was that after a trip to the forest with village children for mushrooms, a pre-heated bathhouse with fresh birch whisks awaited us, and after it, chamomile tea was offered. And in the morning, on the table were scrambled eggs with good village lard, freshly baked hearth bread (on sweet flag leaves), honey just pumped from the hives with honeycomb and cottage cheese, the taste of which is still remembered. Now such food is called environmentally friendly. And what a special and unique smell filled the village house - of honey, wildflowers, apples! You couldn't get enough of breathing it in…
Secondary School No. 1, which I attended with great enthusiasm, left an unforgettable mark. I remember the road along the Myadelka River, which years later I wanted to walk every time I came to Postavy, and at the same time, there was some inexplicable thrill. The old school building with its interesting history also beckoned, and I wanted to go into my classroom. But another institution has been located there for a long time, and the school operates in a new building and in a different location.
It was interesting to communicate with classmates, who were mostly children of military personnel. Since their parents often changed their duty stations, my peers were quite informed, and I listened with interest to their stories about the places they had visited. The class composition constantly changed: some arrived, others left. After graduation, my friends and girlfriends moved with their parents all over the Soviet Union, and unfortunately, it was never possible to gather the class for a reunion. But now, thanks to the Internet, it is possible to communicate with friends all over the globe.
The famous song from the film "The Shield and the Sword" sings, "Where does the Motherland begin? With a picture in your primer, with good and loyal comrades living in the neighboring yard." I also had a loyal friend from the neighboring yard. His name was Valentin. We grew up together, ran to the river and lake together, rode bicycles to the forest for mushrooms and berries. We fought off the same rascals from the next street when we went "wall to wall." Valik lived with his mother and stepfather; he lacked warmth and attention at home, and my parents and I tried our best to compensate for this. So, on the frequent car trips around Postavy, which my father took for his official duties, not only I but also Valik was invited. One day, such a trip happened on the very day when graduates of the incomplete secondary school, which Valentin was, were supposed to receive their certificates of eight-year education. The school, naturally, invited the graduates to the ceremony. But my friend so dreamed of an interesting trip that he resorted to deception: he announced at home that parents should attend the certificate presentation. The deed was done. We left, and later, the neighbors, who were involuntary witnesses to this story, talked for a long time about how events unfolded. Since Valentin's stepfather was an exemplary officer, he spent a long time polishing his chrome boots in the courtyard, preparing to honorably fulfill the mission entrusted to him. Soon, the festively dressed couple proceeded to the school, which was very close by. It's not hard to imagine the embarrassment that occurred when the parents were the only adults among 14-15-year-old children. Retribution came after our return from the trip, and curses echoed from the neighboring yard all evening. However, even this did not change Valentin — he pulled similar stunts again and again, but always remained a loyal friend.
Returning to the understanding of one's small homeland, I want to say that it both heals and inspires me. One day, I received sad news that my aunt had passed away. At that time, I was undergoing treatment and wasn't feeling my best. But, overcoming my ailment, I set off on the road, endured difficult hours of saying goodbye to a loved one, and on the way back, stopped for the night at my childhood home on Leninskaya Street. Falling asleep, I remembered my serene childhood, looked at the furniture that had been preserved despite the house having new owners, and gazed at the neighboring house, which remained the same as it was during my childhood. And then a miracle — in the morning, I woke up feeling well, and the ailment began to fade. And on the way from Postavy to Minsk, I even felt some inspiration, new ideas were born, and energy appeared for their implementation.
Head of the Department "Mechanization and Automation of Road Construction Complex" of the Belarusian National Technical University, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, foreign member of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, Academician of the Lifting and Transport Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Anton Vladimirovich Vavilov was born and raised in Postavy — his parental home is just a few steps from the editorial office. He dedicated about 50 years to science and education, having gone from a physics and mathematics teacher at Yunkovskaya rural school to a professor at the largest technical university, known not only in Belarus but also far beyond its borders. He gave a start in life to thousands of engineers, dozens of Masters of Technical Sciences, scientists with academic degrees and titles. In 2003, the American Biographical Institute awarded A.V. Vavilov the title "Man of the Year," and in 2004-2006, the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge awarded him the title "Outstanding Educator and Intellectual of the XXI Century."
He has published a dozen monographs on topical issues aimed at developing his large and small homeland, published over 500 scientific papers, and made over 50 inventions. In 2009, he held a Republican seminar in Postavy on the development of small towns in Belarus, which aroused great interest among specialists. He constantly desires to make the lives of his fellow countrymen better and more interesting, communicates with them, and visits Postavy region. He did not refuse our editorial office's request to share memories related to his small homeland, which we offer to the attention of the newspaper's readers.
Prepared for publication by Faina Kasatkina
Publications in the district newspaper "Postavsky Krai"
2018 declared the Year of the Small Homeland in Belarus
09.02.2018
It has been decided to declare 2018 the Year of the Small Homeland in Belarus. President Alexander Lukashenka announced this today at the solemn ceremony of presenting state awards to the best workers of the agricultural sector of the republic.
The Head of State explained that the decision to make such an important move was prompted by reflections on the importance of the small homeland in the life of every person.
– It is multifaceted. For some, it is their hometown, a street in the city or a small courtyard, a village where the best childhood years were spent, for others - a piece of wild nature that pleased the eye and gave a feeling of fullness and peace. And for those who left to seek happiness in other countries, Belarus became their small homeland, – noted Alexander Lukashenka.
The President emphasized that the time has come for everyone not only to remember their roots, the place where a piece of their soul remained, but also to pay their debt to this piece of land.
– I really want the help to come from the heart, to become a personal initiative. It can be material, creative, educational, artistic – whoever can and however much they can. It depends on everyone's capabilities, imagination, and desire. The time has come to prove oneself and write one's name in the history of this small homeland, this piece of our land, – stated the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenka noted that Belarus is a beautiful and well-maintained country with clean, cozy cities, well-kept agricultural lands, and rich nature.
– The state has done a lot in this direction and will not stop there. But there is no limit to perfection, and there is always a place to apply one's own efforts. Belarus is our common home, and it is in our interests to make it cozy and exemplary, – he said. – Let's show that we are true and diligent masters of our land. There are many of us, and therefore even the most modest contribution of each will play a role, making the country even more beautiful.
According to the Head of State, the personal participation of everyone in this process will be an example of true patriotism for new generations, when beautiful slogans and words are supported by concrete deeds and actions.
– And this is not a task for one year. Perhaps several years. Or even better, if it becomes a norm of life. Our native land needs the energy of love from every resident, their faith in their country, and care for it. Belarus is what we see it to be, what we create it to be. And most importantly, what we are, so is our Belarus. The more successful people there are, confident in themselves and their country, the stronger the state. And the understanding of this connection must be passed on, like a gene, to our children, – believes Alexander Lukashenka.
This is impossible without fostering pride in one's country, city, village, and family. To instill these feelings, we must ourselves be responsible for our words, deeds, actions, and for our loved ones.
– We must show our children that, no matter how their lives turn out in the future, they have a home, they have a small homeland where they will always find solace and feel invisible support from this land. I don't need to tell you what a small homeland is, especially what a small village is, where perhaps only three to five houses remain – a once large village has turned into a very small corner, as we used to say, a small farmstead. And I don't need to convince you that with years, one is drawn back to where you took your first steps. While we still have time and opportunities, let's save these small farmsteads, – urged the President.
The Head of State noted that those who have the opportunity to rebuild and revive these villages should name them after themselves.
– But we will preserve it. And if we look deeper into the essence of the year's theme, it will become clear that it is not the country, but we ourselves who need to do something good and useful for our native land. It is important for us to feel needed, generous. To ennoble our souls with beautiful, selfless deeds. To realize ourselves as masters of our own lives, self-sufficient people who not only sincerely rejoice in the successes of their country but also feel a personal involvement in them, – summarized Alexander Lukashenka.