Maria Tatarenko: Assembly is a powerful conductor between the state and society

There are about 8 thousand ethnic Belarusians living in Petropavlovsk and districts of North Kazakhstan region. 

With the purpose of preservation of Belarusian culture, studying history, native language, customs and traditions in September, in 2003, public association "North Kazakhstan Regional Belarusian cultural center "Radzima" has been established and at once was included into structure of regional Assembly of People of Kazakhstan. The Centre actively participates in all city events and events held by the regional assembly of people of Kazakhstan.

In interview, Maria Tatarenko, Head of Belarusian Cultural Center told about activities that are going to be held this year.

—Could you tell us how did you start your activity in the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan?

—Since 2014, I have been heading the public association "North Kazakhstan Regional Belarusian Cultural Center "Radzima".

I was very lucky in my choice of profession, as my hobbies and my work coincided. I work as the head of the department of public mass events and work with the structures of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan in the "Kogamdyk Kelisim" Municipal Public Institution.

My work and public activities bring me great pleasure, because there is an opportunity to meet new and interesting people, take part in events and projects, which contributes to my development.

The most important thing in the work is to benefit the society and feel that your work is appreciated and others need it.

Belarusians are very hospitable and friendly people, so they live in peace and accord with all ethnic groups, representing a single Kazakhstani people.

At the opening of the centre, its leadership was taken up by Raisa Vladimirovna Solopova, who has been strengthening the Belarusian culture for many years. Thanks to her work, the people of North Kazakhstan learned about Belarusian scientists, cosmonauts, writers, poets and famous politicians. The autumn festival of Belarusian culture has become a tradition.

—What activities are held by the cultural center?

—During the year, the Centre holds events aimed at spiritual and moral education of young people, involvement of ethnic Belarusians in the activities of the Centre, as well as study of memorable dates in the history of the Belarusian people. For example, the centre has held events such as "We have been tied together by a thread to the sky and the earth..." dedicated to the great Belarusian cosmonauts as part of the celebration of Cosmonautics Day, a press conference entitled "Memories of Brest" was organized by the Centre on the occasion of the Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, and a creative theatrical performance "Nobody is forgotten, nothing is forgotten..." was organized. In addition, general events are held. These are the round table "Belarusian Poets", the youth scientific-theoretical conference "Famous Belarusian scientists: history and modernity" and others.

Activists of the Belarusian Centre participate on a permanent basis in various events and forums of regional scale. So, they have taken part in "Intellect show" in Pavlodar in structure of delegation from Assembly of People of Kazakhstan of North Kazakhstan region, having won the first place, in a youth forum of frontier cooperation "Birlik - Unity.kz".

In addition to the regional Belarusian center, the following Belarusian cultural centers have also been opened in the districts: "Kali Laska" in Kyzylzhar district, "Dobrynya" in Esil district, ethnocultural center in Magzhan Zhumabaev district. The members of these public associations actively work in the sphere of interethnic relations, adequately representing Belarusian culture, participate in district, city, regional and republican events.

Not only Belarusians participate in the activities of the Belarusian cultural centre “Radzima”. Everyone who cares about and is interested in Belarusian history and culture takes part in festivities, meetings and concerts.

Last year the centre celebrated its 15th anniversary with a festive concert, which was attended by creative teams of Belarusian ethno-cultural centres from all over the region.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Kazakhstan came to the House of Friendship several times to meet with the Belarusian public. Such a meeting took place in 2015, when the current Ambassador Anatoly Nichkasov visited Petropavlovsk and organized a meeting with ethnic Belarusians of the region. Representatives of the Belarusian cultural center introduced the work of the ethno-cultural association, told about the projects and plans for the future. In turn, the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus offered to strengthen cooperation through constant exchange of information and participation in events. For example, on the 10th anniversary of the Belarusian cultural "Kali Laska" of Kyzylzhar district of North-Kazakhstan region, a letter of thanks was sent to the Head of organization Tamara Tkachenko. This event was marked by a great concert, Tamara Timofeyevna was congratulated by the akim of the district, chairman of the maslikhat, as well as representatives of North-Kazakhstan regional Assembly of People of Kazakhstan.

Belarusian Cultural Center "Radzima" tries to hold events in an interesting format. For example, in 2019, such projects as Ivan Kupala Festival, Belarusian Culture Festival, the creative evening "Znayemtsesya, Yanka Bryl!” to be realized.

—Do you actively participate in charity?

—Acquiring status of the coordinator of charitable activities by the Assembly, the Belarusian Cultural Centre tries to contribute to the provision of assistance and support to children with serious illnesses, large and low-income families, the disabled and pensioners. Traditional events held by the regional Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, in which the centre takes part are "Charity Ball", "White Flower" charity event, the "Salute of Victory" festival, etc.

It is gratifying that representatives of all ethnic groups in our country have an opportunity to study their native language, culture, traditions and customs, to communicate with relatives who have stayed in their historical homeland. There are many reasons for the fact that more than 130 nationalities live in Kazakhstan and all of them are peaceful. Belarusians are lucky that they came to the Kazakh land with the purpose of development of virgin lands, on distribution on workplaces and since then have found the native land here. The Assembly, in turn, became the second home for many people. It is impossible to assess the support that ethno-cultural associations receive from the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan. Indeed, the Assembly is a powerful conductor between the state and society, strengthening the dialogue platform and creating favorable conditions for cultural exchange.

The most important event for me, as a member of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, is the Session that takes place annually in the capital of our Motherland - Nur-Sultan. This year's session was special with the participation of the Chairman of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Such attention on the part of the main leadership of the country is an indicator of the special role of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan as an institute of harmonization of interethnic relations.

Dana Tugambekova

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