It may seem sometimes that we, the people of big cities, have long broken off the fine threads that used to tie our minds to the natural cycles. In our daily life, at least. And still, there are several very special moments in the year that change something around – in the air, in the sky, in our emotions and thoughts. And as such moments come, they make you feel a particle in the infinite universal and still unknown system and, at the same time, evoke deeply intimate and personal emotions that overfill you but can be sometimes neither described, nor shared.
For me, midsummer or, to be exact, the moment of summer solstice is a moment like this. I wait for it anxiously every time, and as soon as the sun reaches its highest point, its apogee, the chillness of bitter irreversibility emerges deep in my soul. The larger part of summer is still ahead, but the days are growing shorter – minute by minute. Time never stops and it is merciless…
It is hard sometimes to share your emotions with people. Then – try to share them with places. And here is probably the best point on the map to let solstice flow through you.
Every day, thousands of people pass by this place taking the picturesque road from Lepel to Polack. I think, they look with admiration at gentle hills, thick forests and shining mirrors of lakes seen from here. But few of them know: it is enough to branch off the highway, take an overlooked sandy track and then cross the field – and you will find yourself in one of the most mysterious places of Belarus.
More than 30 years ago, Belarusian scientists pointed out that this locality, the peninsula shooting out into the Janova lake between the villages Sviacica and Bikulničy, was truly unusual due to several groups of huge boulders of red and pink granite. The landscape of this area with numerous hills and valleys, lakes and rivers was formed by glacier thousands of years ago. And, certainly, as it was melting, the powerful streams of water brought numerous stones here. But these boulders were not chaotically scattered across the meadow. They formed a strict system oriented at cardinal points that helped our ancestors in determining the very moment when the nature reached its annual heyday – the summer solstice. In other words, this place was a kind of an ancient observatory and now, it is often called “the Belarusian Stonehenge”. Scientists prove that it was constructed about 10 thousand years ago, and the stones are not just natural boulders – they are dressed and shaped by people, and some of them even have ancient signs on their surface.
The local toponymy is also remarkable: the name of the lake – Janova – is obviously associated with the ancient festivity of summer solstice. The village located nearby is called Sviacica – its name derives from the word “sviaty” meaning “holy”. Observing the sunset from a special point, one could see the sun setting right behind the topmost hill of the surrounding called Valatouka. It is the general name of high hills supposed to be graves of “volats” – legendary giants that were believed to inhabit Belarus in the pre-historic past.
Thus, as soon as the sunny disc hid behind the Valatouka, it meant that the shortest night of the year began. At that very moment, they started burning fire on the top of that hill, and there was deep symbolism in this action: the heavenly fire of the sun lit up the holy and purifying festive flame for people.
Kupalle – this is the Belarusian name of the festivity of summer solstice, the main pagan holiday of the sun, warmth, vegetation and fertility. It is the time when everything is possible – grasses are healing, animals and birds can talk to people and even fern is in blossom this moment! And people always chose special places for celebrating it – the ones that could accumulate the energy of fire, water and plants on the culmination moment of the year. Just look – they found a perfect location!
Having once come to the Janova lake on the longest day, I understood something about this place and myself. Looked at the breathtaking panoramas of hills and lakes. Listened to whisper of wind. Tracked endless caravans of clouds sailing across the sky. Smelled water and grass. Touched rough and mossy surface of stones warmed up by the sun. And realized that it has been quite the same for centuries and millennia. Year by year, generations of people came to these boulders by the lake to feel the solemnity of one moment – and grandiosity of the eternal and endless circle of moments, years, generations. They never felt alone, since they realized their origin and their continuation, just like a link in the chain. And they certainly knew that the endurance of the chain depends on each link. Isn’t it the same about us today? Everyone is so small in the endless turnover. Everyone is much more than it may seem.
Sincerely yours,
Volha Blazhevich
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul and Metali Listeners' Club,
dthank you for your comment! We'll send you some of our souvenirs ASAP.
Stay tuned and 73,
RBI
Hallo Radio Belarus,
ja der Dieter Leupold ist jetzt auch hier im Gästebuch vertreten... Super, bald sind wir alle zusammen hier im "Belarus Hörerclub", Dieter könnte 1.Vorsitzender werden und Jana und Elena Ehrernmitglieder, Helmut Matt Schriftführer, Alfred Albrecht Beisitzer und ich mache Hausmeister:-) Lutz Winkler wie fit bist Du bereits wieder, für Dich finden wir auch eine nette Aufgabe:-) Beste Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende.
Dietmar
Answer:
Lieber Dietmar,
das stimmt, für alle finden wir im Hörerklub eine Aufgabe!:)
Liebe Grüße und einen guten Start in die Woche!
I recently learned my surname is not Polish, but Belarusian. I heard you on shortwave in the past and am so happy to listen online in English. We hear nothing about Belarus here in the US so I am so glad to learn about your country. Keep on broadcasting in English. I also joined the Hoererklub on Facebook as I can understand German. If you have information or a station pennant, I will very much appreciate it.
Sheryl Paszkiewicz, 1015 Green St, Manitowoc WI 54220 USA
Answer:
Dear Sheryl, thank you very much for listening to us! We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. By the way, if you're interested, you can participate in our "The Old Country's Loving Call" project and send a greeting to Belarus. You can find more detailed information at http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/hukaje_eng
Also, in case you like sports, here's the link to an international competition of ours "My Greetings to 2nd European Games" http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/games_eng
73 from the entire staff of RBI! Прывiтанне з Малой Радiзмы :)
Hello from Birmingham United Kingdom!
My name is Michael.
I really enjoyed listening to your program on the Hotbird satellite 13e. I very much love listening to your news and current affairs.
Ask you to send me a small gifts. I hope you guys are all good.
Lots of love from UK
Especially enjoying learning about Belarus. History and culture
Michael Rogers
Flat 2 463 City road Birmingham
B17 8LG
United Kingdom
Answer:
Michael,
thank you very much for listening to us! We're glad that you enjoy our programs. We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. Best regards and stay tuned!
Hello. I am a new listener to your English service. I listen on the Radio 1 News app. I enjoyed listening to the news. Do you have any information on shortwave broadcasts you can send me?
Thank you,
Joe Cosimo
23 Ivy Ln, Dupont, PA 18641 U.S.A.
Answer:
Dear Joe, thank you for listening to Radio Belarus International! We're glad that you enjoyed our news. RBI broadcasts on shortwave only in German on 6005 and 3985 kHz. News and programs in English are available via our website and satellites. We'll also send you a postcard and a small souvenir as soon as we can. 73!
Hello,
My name is Younes Lazazi, I am from Algeria.
I am very happy that radio Belarus has started broadcasting in Arabic.
I would like to receive stickers and printed matter of the station and the Arabic and french services if possible.
My address:
Monsieur Younes Lazazi 14 rue Maza Boualem El-Harrach 16009 Alger Algérie
Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Younes Lazazi,
we're happy that you like our boradcasts. We'll send you some of our printed materials via mail in the nearest future. 73!
Dear English Service Radio Belarus,
Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus. We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented. We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.
Please send some program schedule, sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.
We are waiting for your reply.
With best wishes,
SHIVENDU PAUL
President
Metali Listeners' Club
India
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul,
thank you very much for listening to us! Your club is among our most dedicated listeners. We will send you some of our promotional products as soon as possible. 73!
Hello!
Did the arabic programmes start? I don't see them on your Internetcast schedule page. Thanks!
Answer:
Hello! The Arabic programmes have been on air since October, every Monday. You can see the schedule and listen to them on our Arabic page http://radiobelarus.by/ar
FM transmitters and frequencies:
Rakitnitsa - 106.2 MHz
Hrodna - 95.7 MHz
Svislach - 104.4 MHz
Heraniony - 99.9 MHz
Braslau - 106.6 MHz
Miadzel - 102.0 MHz
Satellite broadcasting:
see satellite parameters here
