Outstanding Belarusians 1

Outstanding Belarusians

Belarus is a talented nation. It has given birth to many outstanding people in different spheres of life. When discussing outstanding people we can't but mention the names of such thinkers as Efrosinya Polotskaya and Kirill Turovsky. Efrosinya Polotskaya, a princess, a nun and later Mother Superior of the Convent was one of the first women enlighteners of the 12^th century. She translated spiritual and religious books from Greek and Latin into the Belarussian language and copied them by hand. The age of Renaissance enriched our culture with new names of great Belorussian statesmen, writers and printers: for example, Lev Sapega, Mikola Gusovsky and many others. The name of the first printer Fr. Scarina and his followers Symon Budny and Vasily Tyapinsky are well-known throughout the world. Fr. Scarina was a prominent scholar and humanist whose intellectual interests embraced theology, literature, law, medicine and printing. The most significant of these achievements was the translation and publication of the Bible in Belarusian. He even founded the first printing workshop in Vilnya. His activities gave a powerful impulse to the development of all the Slavonic states, he greatly contributed to our Belarusian language, culture and art, showed the variety of human nature.

It goes without saying that Belarusian literature has made a great contribution to world literature. The prominent names of Y Kupala, Y. Kolas are world famous. It's also a pleasure to mention such Belarusian composers as Churkin, Luchenok, Aladov. Our vocal groups "Pesnyary", "Verasy", "Syabry" and dance group "Khoroshky" have been a great success in Europe. Through the creative process musicians, artists, actors, scientists try to express their personal philosophy. Our professional theatres embody the bright image and events of Belarusian history in drama, music and ballet.

Many natives of Belarus, because of numerous political and economic difficulties that haunted Belarus were to seek better life abroad. For example, world famous M. Chagal, born in 1887 in Belarus had to immigrate to France in 1922. Artist and Graphic, he created a new trend in painting with a number of fantastic, irrational works, often on folklore or divine themes. We also know well and admire the other Belarusian artist, K. Malevich with his "Black Square".

Many prominent names in the history of our country are connected with two main events, the Second World War and space exploration. All Belarusians fought heroically defending their Motherland, but we are especially proud of K. Zaslonov, N. Gastello, the defenders of Brest fortress and many ©thers. Among cosmonauts you can also find our natives: A. Kovalyonok and P. Klimuk.

No doubt, the prestige of the country depends greatly on sport achievements of its athletes. Belarus has always been known as a sporty nation.

Many Belarusian sportsmen have brought glory to their native land winning in the greatest sport events including the Olympic Games and the world championships and tournaments. I can't help admiring Y. Nesterenko, 0. Ryzhenkov, A. Medved, O. Korbut, V. Scherbo, E. Karston, Ya. Korolchik, A. Rybakov.

The ambassador of good will. M. Mirny is my favourite tennis player. He is really good at tennis and ranks among the best tennis players of the world. I think his example should inspire many young Belarusians to play tennis. He is the first Belarusian player who managed to defeat the strongest foreign sportsmen.

At the present day time, the time of revaluation of values, it's hard to find heroes. Time will put everything in its place and give everybody his due. But one thing is obvious: great times are created by great men. And our government does its best to create the conditions for the comprehensive development of people, their abilities. And after all it depends on the residents of Belarus to enlarge the wealth of their state.