Thursday 28 March 2024 | 14:51

Tatsiana Vadalazhskaja: People meet Belarusan thinking with support

11.01.2016  |  Society
Tatsiana Vadalazhskaja: People meet Belarusan thinking with support

The book of quotes of Belarusan thinking will soon be published.

We, Belarusans, don’t know our thinkers, their deep thoughts and ideas; we perceive ourselves through foreign images and thoughts. However, unless a person recalls the most important Belarusan thinkers, we cannot say that Belarus went through the point of no return in building its independence.

The “Quote Your Own!” campaign that started last May is trying to solve this problem. This campaign has actualized the best examples of Belarusan thinking and gathered the quotes of our thinkers of different ages. All that assembled into the idea of creating and publishing the book of quotes of Belarusan thinking. Just before the New Year the campaign to crowdfund this idea has finished. Tatsiana Vadalazhskaja, the leader of the campaign, told the “EuroBelarus” Information Service about the course of campaign and its estimated results.

- Can you tell how the crowdfunding campaign for publishing the book of quotes of Belarusan thinking went and what stage is it now?

- The campaign was quite short and lasted only a month. We were trying to publish the book during the holidays so that to make happy those who joined the campaign. Within the course of these days we hope to receive first books and thus, continue the festive mood.

The decision to crowdfund money was the continuation of the “Quote Your Own!” campaign and was aimed at recalling, accepting, and mastering the intellectual legacy of Belarusan culture. Unfortunately, this legacy now only belongs to a small part of Belarusans. But actually, it is not only images, language, and history but also thoughts and deep ideas that have been born on this land that form our identity and self-understanding. It was very important for us to include and inspire the biggest circle of people with it. And crowdfunding is a good opportunity for that.

More than 80 people made their contributions and within a month we gathered around 29 million Belarusan rubles. We are very grateful to everyone who joined; all their names will be included into the book. Let me also say that during the crowdfunding campaign we got one more partner – the “Belarusskij Zhurnal” (Russian “the Belarusian Magazine” – EuroBelarus) with Andrei Aliaksandrau that also made a considerable contribution, which is a big pleasure for us.

If assessing the campaign, to me it seems to be very energetic and successful. We addressed some not very understandable or popular issue; however, people supported us, which means that people meet Belarusan thinking with support.

- All in all, what will the book of quotes of Belarusan thinking look like and what use can it be of for Belarusans? Who is its target audience – broader public or a narrow circle of intellectuals?

- The book of quotes of Belarusan thinking is a small book that includes about 150 quotes of 80 thinkers, cultural actors, and historical personalities. We were choosing quotes from what has been sent to us via e-mail and via social networks, trying to cover a broad number of topics and epochs. You’ll find a lot of contemporary thinkers in the book, whose thoughts worth knowing. You’ll also find quite popular sayings, though we were rather looking for new ones. We were trying to choose not only beautiful sayings, but also such words that inspire people to think.

It doesn’t mean, though, that the book is targeted at a narrow circle; quite the opposite, thinking is something that the broader circle needs. We strive to orient common people, who are looking for meanings, to find a path to themselves and to Belarus They might see new names, new thoughts, new ideas and build their path to the Belarusan intellectual area.

- Where can one find the book and how much does it cost?

- We decided that we won’t be selling this book, but rather make it a present. It can be found at our presentation, as well as at the events of all the partners of “Quote Your Own!” campaign: “EuroBelarus”, the Flying University, “Budz’ma Belarusami!” campaign, language courses “Mova Nanova”, as well as in the Belarusian Collegium.

- Will the “Quote Your Own!” campaign end with the publication of the book of quotes or should we wait for the Belarusan thought’s popularization to be continued?

- Actually, this campaign is only a part of what we call the Year of Belarusan thinking. It’s very important for us that this campaign gradually grows from what seemed topical and adequate to the cultural situation. We will keep moving. On the one hand, we will be aiming for something that empowers popularization of Belarusan thinking at a bigger level – books, lectures, discussions, and readings of intellectual legacy. On the other hand, it is very important to make intellectual legacy fashionable. Of course, there is a risk of simplification there, but until any person can give at least several main ideas to the question “Who are the most important Belarusan thinkers?” we cannot say that Belarus went through the point of no return in building its independence.

Other news section «Society»

What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
The Belarus Committee of ICOMOS announces the collection of cases on the effectiveness of the State List of Historical and Cultural Values as a tool of the safeguarding the cultural monuments.
The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?
The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?
On March 27-28, the Belarus ICOMOS and the EuroBelarus held an online expert workshop on expanding opportunities for community participation in the governance of historical and cultural heritage.
“It is our big joint work”
“It is our big joint work”
It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.
The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum
The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum
The Forum was devoted not so much to the outputs as to the challenges and prospects after the creation and signing of local agendas.
Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool
Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool
To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.
“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”
“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”
In Stoubcy, they talked about universal design and conducted pilot monitoring of two urban sites accessibility.
Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished
Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished
"Specificity is different, but the priority is general." In Valożyn, a local strategy for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities
How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities
The campaign "Agenda 50" was summed up in Ščučyn, and a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed there.
A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin
A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin
The regional center has become the second city in Belarus where the local plan for the implementation of the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation
“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation
Representatives of the campaign “Agenda 50” from five pilot cities discussed achievements in creating local agendas for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed
In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed
It is noteworthy that out of the five pilot cities, Stoubcy was the last to join the campaign “Agenda 50”, but the first one to complete the preparation of the local agenda.
The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin
The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin
On May 28, the city hosted a presentation of the results of the project "Equal to Equal" which was dedicated to monitoring the barrier-free environment in the city.
“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”
“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”
In Babruysk, wheelchair users are fighting discrimination.
The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations
The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations
What results has the campaign "Agenda 50" given, what helps to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the regions?
The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata
The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata
Experts in Valožyn have determined that the quality of people’s life depends on their awareness.
The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document
The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document
On March 3, members of the campaign "Agenda 50" from different Belarusian cities met in Minsk. The campaign is aimed at the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)
The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)
There are being implemented three projects under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities campaign in the city of Babruysk.
One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot
One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot
In Ščučyn, people with disabilities learned to be leaders and to advocate their interests.
Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)
Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)
In Stolin, social organizations and local authorities are implementing a project aimed at independent living of persons with disabilities, and creating local agenda for the district.
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”
Will creation of local agendas be an effective tool in ensuring rights of persons with disabilities in Belarus, just as it was in Poland?
Gintautas Mažeikis: The relation of political field and arena in the framework of information war

In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.

“It is our big joint work”

It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.

Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf

Minsk’s muddled media clampdown could jeopardize warming of relations with the West.

Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool

To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.