By Manal Abdel Fattah
Ambassador Sergei Terentiev, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Egypt, said that international cultural exchange is an important contribution to enhancing spiritual understanding and uniting our peoples, as well as strengthening the national identity of both countries, their independence and the uniqueness of their culture.
The ambassador affirmed, during his speech at a symposium entitled “Egypt-Belarus… Cultural Relations,” organized by the Supreme Council of Culture, that the cultural and spiritual heritage of Belarus was accumulated over the ages and passed down through generations, as spiritual values, unique traditions, and culture were the basis for forming its national identity.
The ambassador added that in the first years after Belarus gained its independence, even in times when the country went through great economic difficulties, the state was investing in reviving cultural heritage, continuing: Even today, we continue to study and explore new pages of our national history, and enrich the cultural heritage. For our country Belarus.
He pointed out that the keenness to preserve cultural heritage is a characteristic that unites the Belarusian and Egyptian peoples, as Egypt is considered the cradle of civilizations, where various eras, religions and cultures converge, adding: Everything I see here daily, from the Pharaonic antiquities to the unique creativity of Umm Kulthum, and from the portraits of Fayoum. To the ceramics industry in the village of Gragos leaves an unforgettable impression on me, and I am confident that my vivid memories of Egypt will remain with me throughout my life.
He added: We see how your country pays great attention to Egypt’s historical and cultural heritage, and the efforts to restore and preserve unique monuments, and revive lost traditions, and here we are constantly witnessing the opening of restored cultural and historical sites and the opening of new and modern historical and cultural sites and attractions.
He continued: I must point out that any Belarusian citizen, after visiting Islamic Cairo and its “heart” – Al-Moez Street, feels admiration and amazement. When you walk from Bab Al-Futouh to Bab Zuweila, you understand why Cairo is called the “Gate of the East.”
He added: The study and restoration of national heritage takes place over decades in Belarus, where we see preserved and restored historical monuments and Belarusian cultural monuments, some of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, including the complex of castles in the city of Mir, which was built at the beginning of the sixteenth century, and is collected in it. Architectural elements from the Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance era, and the complex of palaces and castles in the city of Nesvig, seat of one of the most famous ruling families of medieval Europe – the Radziwill family.
He added that one of the national monuments of Belarus are the famous belts from Slutsk, which were manufactured using a unique technology, which was only studied and reproduced at the beginning of the 21st century. They are not just an element of the Belarusian national costume, but rather a historical and cultural symbol of Belarus. And a modern brand of our country.
The ambassador pointed out that the famous scholar Frantsisk Skaryna, who hails from Polotsk, was a scholar and activist in the Renaissance era. He laid the foundations for book printing in the East Slavic lands, and in the sixteenth century, he published the first printed books in the ancient Belarusian language.
The ambassador said: Great appreciation for the value of reading and writing has become a national characteristic of Belarus, as the new National Library in Minsk is one of the most important contemporary cultural and architectural monuments of the Republic of Belarus. In Belarus, we pay great attention to education. We are proud that Belarusians are rightfully considered one of the most educated peoples. .
He added that one of the interesting pieces of evidence to learn about the history of Belarus are the “written” books, according to the Belarusian pronunciation, which are books that were written in the Belarusian language in Arabic letters. They began to be issued in the sixteenth century by the Tatars who settled in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and it is believed that Al-Kitabi began to be published in the sixteenth century, but a known and documented trace dates back to the middle of the seventeenth century, and Minsk libraries contain some “Kitabi” whose pages range between 70 and 1000 pages.
The ambassador continued: The cultural heritage of Belarus is completed by the National Schools of Ballet and Arts, and among its most famous artistic castles are the Grand Theater of Opera and Ballet and the National Museum of Arts of Belarus. The Ballet School in Belarus is well known to opera artists in Cairo, and throughout our history, our country has been famous and still is famous for its authentic architectural and artistic schools, and works Unique musical and literary style.
He added that an important element of the spiritual heritage of the Belarusian people and an example of its originality are folk handicrafts preserved to this day, as well as customs, traditions, folk legends and national cuisine.
