Iryna Dubianieckaja: The Congress of Belarusan Studies is a chance to enter the international libera

As far as the situation with humanities in Belarus is rather disappointing, such events as the International Congress of Belarusan Studies are very useful, making scientists meet for joint talks and d

 -  The thing we lack is thinking over not only everyday situation in which we live in, but also thinking over ideas, thinking Belarus in the context of world science; where we are, what we do and why we are detached from the rest of the world. The International Congress of Belarusan Studies is a chance to enter or to return into the international humanitarian context, commented a member of the Congress, Doctor of Theology Iryna Dubianieckaja to the EuroBelarus Information Service.

 The participants of the International Congress are specialists in Belarusan philology from different countries. The previous year the Congress welcomed about 200 participants, whereas this year the figure doubled. Belarusan specialists showed great interest in the event as the organizers provided it with many new breakup groups. Thus, the Congress introduces more and more directions of thinking.

 The Congress of Belarusan Studies aims at changing intellectual and humanitarian situation in Belarus, sets a common direction of thought. Discussing the problems of Belarusan studies and intellectual scientists’ cooperation are per se useful.

- Simply talking together is already very useful, considers Iryna Dubianieckaja. At first it may have no applied significance. If some applied results will arise, it will be perfectly well, and sooner or later certain results will be manifested. But first of all we need the intellectual paradigm to be developed and strengthened for people involved in humanities’ research saw the need of society in their work, felt that they are not the first who go this way, knew that there exists a discourse, the science, there is what to discuss with colleagues and where to develop.

Thereby, there will be benefit simply from discussing of certain intellectual structures. If someone talks, others listen and react in some way – it is beneficial in any case, as it gives impulse for the next step for thinking.

- We have ceased thinking Belarus together. We have ceased thinking in the direction of being Belarusans, speaking Belarusan. Different disciplines of Belarusan studies exist as if by themselves, being detached from the human civilization. We need to rethink over Belarus anew, to look thoroughly together who we are and where we are. Rethinking Belarus over is comprehension of what Belarus is as an intellectual integrity, what it can give to the world and what the world can give to it, how Belarus can fit in with the world, thinks Iryna Dubianieckaja. It is a vicious idea, coming up with someone. We should not come up with the rest of the world, but suggest something that hasn’t been yet proposed there. This is our goal. The participants of the Congress have a great intellectual potential, we can offer quicker something to the world. If we look at Belarus from Europe, America or Australia, we will see that they are simply not interested in what is happening in our country. But they should be interested, if we’ll propose something at the international level, with the proper perspective. So, if Belarus will be adequately presented in the global humanitarian context, we will be seen from the other sites of the world.