Belarusian Cultural heritage.

Warming-up.

How do you understand the notion of the national culture heritage?

What makes the national culture heritage of Belarus?

What culture objects of Belarus are included in the list the UNESCO world’s culture heritage list?

Read the following text. What other famous people of Belarus do you know? What is their contribution to culture development of our country?

Make sure you understand the meaning of the following words and word-combinations:

the most prestigious awards

the outstanding educator

to graduate from the University

the constellation

the duration of day and night

anniversary

to be located

Francis Skorina

Francis Skorina is considered one of the greatest and most famous people of Belarus. The most prestigious awards of the country are named in his honor: the order and the medal. Skorina was a scientist, humanist, writer, outstanding educator. But, he got the greatest fame as the first printer not only of Belarus, but also of all the East Slavic lands.

Francis was born in 1486 in the family of a merchant in Polotsk, the most ancient city of the Belarusian land. Here he received an initial education, learned the Latin language, because this language was considered a scientific language, it was used to teach at the universities of all countries. Knowledge of the Latin language opened the way for education. Later, Francis entered the University of Cracow. Finishing it, he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Then he studied in Italy, graduated from the University of Padua and received a doctorate in medicine.

Skorina saw that Europe is more educated than the eastern lands. First of all, he tried to share his knowledge with his compatriots. In Italy and Germany there were many books, because they printed them in printing houses, and not copied by hand. And, the famous Belarusian decided to print books in Belarusian to educate his people. In his works, there are meticulous astronomical and calendar information prepared by him: for example, how the constellation move in the sky, when solar and lunar eclipses are expected, what is the duration of day and night in each month.

At that time, the Bible was considered the main book of the Christian world. Francis Skorina went to Prague and August 6, 1517 printed the first book, Bible in Belarusian language! His talent as an outstanding poet and artist was manifested in typography. The Skorina Bible includes 51 illustrations, as well as many vignettes and special capital letters.

For a short period, Francis Skorina published over 20 books. For a long time, the famous Belarusian lived far from home, but in his thoughts and soul he was always with his homeland. Francis Skorina addressed his books to ordinary people.

See, how modern his sincere words about the love to his homeland sound: “Like the animals in the desert from the birth know their pits; birds flying in the sky know their nests; fish in the seas and lakes know their maelstroms; bees and the like defend their hives, – people have love to the place of their birth.”

Later Francis Skorina came to Vilnius and founded the first printing house in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He lived a difficult life, the details of which are little known. The last years of his life, Francis was forced to work as a royal gardener. In Prague, far from his native Polotsk, Skorina died. But, the work of Skorina was left to his descendants: the printing press spread to the East Slavic lands, including Belarus. Followers of the Belarusian first printer, Peter Mstislavets and Ivan Fyodorov, founded a printing house in Moscow.

Nowadays, it is worth to visit the Belarusian book printing museum, which is located in Polotsk and is the only museum of such kind in Belarus. It was opened during the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Skorina.

Questions to discuss:

What are the names of the most famous Belarusian artists (actors, sportsmen, singers, politicians, writers)?
What are the most popular culture festivals in Belarus? Have you taken part in any of them?
One of Belarusian sports women got the name of ‘The Sparrow from Minsk’. She is a former Soviet gymnast who won six Olympic medals for her country. Do you know the name of the sports woman?
There are many famous people in our republic. Among them you can find the names of politicians and public figures, intellectuals and scientists, heroes of war and labour, sportsmen and artists. Why did all these people become famous and really outstanding Belarusians?
What are the official holidays of Belarus?

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Activities:

You are a journalist of the local newspaper who has got a task to write an article about Marc Chagall’s biography and arts achievements. Using the Internet fill in the fact gaps in the following text. It will help you to know more about one of the most famous natives of Belarus.

Marc Chagall

Marc Chagall is a talented artist, a brilliant representative of the 20th century avant-garde, he conquered the world with his unique style and special outlook on life.

Marc Chagall was born in …….., 6 July 18…., in a family of small merchant Khatskl (Zakhar) Chagall and became the eldest of nine children. Years later he always celebrated his birthday on 7 July. On turning 19, with the blessing of his mother Feige-Ite, Marc enrolled in the school of famous Vitebsk artist Yehuda Pen who recognized his talent and invited the young man to study free of charge. A few months later, the artist went to …… to study.

In ….. Chagall continued his studies in Paris: he attended classes at the free academies of fine arts, attended all kinds of exhibitions and galleries, learned about the new styles in art and developed his own unique style. In June 1914 Berlin hosted Marc Chagall’s first exhibition which brought together almost all paintings and drawings written in Paris. It was a success and Chagall became famous.

Before the First World War in …… Marc Chagall returned to his native Vitebsk. After the revolution in 1917 Marc Chagall was appointed Commissioner for Art in Vitebsk Province. During this period he painted his famous Over The Town, The Wedding,

In ……, the artist went to Moscow where he designed costumes and decorations for the Jewish Chamber Theater. At the start of the Second World War Marc Chagall and his family moved to the United States. He returned to Europe in ……. In the post-war years his artwork turned biblical. Many etchings to French Bible publications, paintings, engravings, stained glass and espaliers made up the artist’s Biblical Message to the world, for which he opened a museum in Nice in …... The French government recognized this collection as an official national museum.

In 1977 Marc Chagall received the French Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. An intravitam exhibition of his works was organized in Louvre to mark the 90th birthday of the artist. Contrary to all the rules, the paintings of the living master were displayed in this famous museum. Marc Chagall died in …. in the city of ……, south-east of France.