Cultural field in Belarus is even as such; however, human factor has its considerable influence

Experts and participants of the seminar-workshop for cultural actors “Culture as a means of social transformation: innovations and unused possibilities” sum up their work and impressions.

Let us recall that on August 14-16 International Consortium “EuroBelarus” organized the creative seminar-workshop for cultural figures “Culture as a means of social transformation”. 18 participants from different regions of Belarus, among whom were representatives of both state and non-state initiatives in the cultural sphere, as well as media, met for the considerable common work. A three-day program included discussion of peculiarities of analysis of their professional sphere, acquainting successful practices of cultural management from Belarusian colleagues, and attempts of common project development in the final part. You can read the article with all details of the seminar’s work here.

Raman Voranau, one of the founders of the youth cultural community VITEBSK4.ME, says that he was personally glad that “the audience was very diverse from the regional perspective”.

- These were people from all over Belarus and at the same time those, who play key roles in their organizations, unions, and institutions. It was very interesting both from the point of view of speeches as well as from the point of view of discussions and communication.

Raman Voranau emphasized that he didn’t see visible difference between organizations from the western and eastern parts of Belarus:

- Belarus is quite homogeneous; we are one people, and situation by regions isn’t very different. A person, union, and community play more important role there.

According to Voranau, influence on the cultural politics from the side of the society “is not only possible, but happens all the time”.

- Both public organizations and some activists constantly contact with authorities and state cultural institutions. For example, when they make the program of different festive events such as local fests together. And we can say that at least at such level we make one common cause, affecting Belarus’ cultural policy step by step. There are also events prepared by international organizations at a broader level that can even introduce their propositions at a legislative level. Of course, we constantly meet some misunderstandings and sometimes even resistance, but communications still happen all the time, and so is the influence.

Alesia Aulasevich, a representative of the Tavarystva Belaruskaj Movy (TBM) (Belarusian “the Belarusan Language Society” – EuroBelarus) from Homel says that “it was a revelation for her that civic initiatives can cooperate with business and authorities”.

- It means not only to create something in the community or in the organization but also to enter at the official level, appeal not only to authorities, but also to business. I never thought about it before, and the example of activists from Minsk, who work just thanks to people’s support, is impressive.

Alesia reminds that the term ”culture” has a lot of different explanations.

And in our case it is work directed at changing the environment for better. Of course, society has to understand that if all brilliant ideas are voiced in kitchen only nothing will change for the better. But if these ideas are translated, then something can be changed; with small steps, but activists still can influence cultural policy.

Ihar Rahanski, a restorer, the head of the project bureau of Belarusan committee ICOMOS:

- I made a pleasant invention for myself that apart from people in Minsk that I am communicating with there are also interesting people from regions that we can and should contact with, make common projects, discuss things, come to common causes, etc. Perhaps, at least for me, it is the main result of the seminar – the prospects I saw in communicating with communities that appeared in regions.

Ihar Rahanski said that “it is in this process of mutual exchange that I see influence on cultural policy and culture as such”.

Sviatlana Chakushka, coordinator of the “Budz’ma Belarusami!” campaign in Minsk region notes that one of the results are “new people, new contacts, new impressions, and, of course, inspiration from all of that”.

- And, of course, practical stuff, especially something that deals with development of projects – project management. I am inspired by actions. Less words, more action – if you do something, results will also come. Society influences culture through actions, and vice versa.

Tatsiana Vadalazhskaja, methodologist and social scientist, a senior analyst of the Center for European Transformation, candidate of sociological sciences, notes that “it was interesting to work with the Monitoring of Belarus’ complying with the UNESCO Convention “On protection and promotion of diversity in forms of cultural self-expression”.

- To hear and to understand their view on the problems and questions that have been set. Indeed, it was very substantial discussion of internal potential that cultural sphere has.

What one can immediately see in monitoring is the division on independent and official culture inside the monitoring, which creates poor conditions both for the development of the cultural sphere and its influence on the society, since these are basically different influences with different values, methods, and translations of cultural codes.

Another problem is the feeling of uncertainty that NGOs experience in relations with the state and law – uncertainty of the rules of the game. And that, in its turn, creates incertitude of whether you can reach your goals, distrust between people to what you do.

Tatsiana Vadalazhskaja notes that she was “surprised with the high knowledge of legislation and legal relations and the use of law”.

- When people have a really good command of what they can and what they cannot do it creates some additional opportunities. I think that legal literacy is some additional resource for cultural workers.  

The expert says that “we intentionally gathered a lot of people from regions, since life, experience, and working schemes differ between the regions and Minsk”.

- It is an absolutely different public space – more or less rich in Minsk, while in small towns usually only solitary areas exist. It wasn’t unexpected for me; however, the fact that the level of talks and discussions didn’t depend on territorial belonging was a pleasant bonus.