8. Read the article “Education in Belarus”. Characterize the educational system of our republic.

The present day Belarus is the country of a high intellectual potential. The rich and specific scientific school of Belarus has creatively absorbed the experiences of various schools and countries. In Belarus a lot of original thinkers, technical researchers, gifted surgeons and physicians performed their creative activity. Our country brought to the world`s area a lot of talented persons of science and culture whose names were included in encyclopedias and biographical reference books.

Among the key advantages of Belarus is the excellent education system inherited from the Soviet times when a strong focus was consistently made on natural sciences and applied research. Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 15. Higher education institutions include universities, a variety of specialized academies and institutes for studies in technical art, agriculture, medicine, electronics, and other fields. Belarus is among the few countries in the world whose specialists have been involved in construction of space stations, global communication systems, and nuclear development projects.

According to the Human Development Report 2005 of the United Nations Development Programme, Belarus remains the leader among CIS states in terms of education and takes the lead over a number of developed countries on such indicators as public expenditure on education (6 % of GDP), adult literacy (99.6 %) and youth literacy (99.8 %).

Minsk is famous for its perfectly functioning educational system. There are 34 universities and colleges, 28 vocational schools, 258 secondary schools and over 500 pre-school institutions. The most important educational establishments are the Belarus State University, Belarus State Polytechnic Academy, Belarus State Economic University, Belarus State University of Radio Electronics and Minsk State Linguistic University. Minsk also hosts the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

National universities today act as both educational institutions and large research centers especially in the branches which rely on local feedstock and shape the country’s economy. Developing and upgrading material and technical basis is one of the most important factors promoting the quality of education. The universities’ R&D labs are fitted with cutting-edge equipment for research analysis allowing to derive information of practical and fundamental significance.

9. Work in groups. Show your knowledge of Belarusians traditions. Read and decide which of the following characteristic features belong to each of the given folk feasts. Do these folk feasts have similar traits?

Write your version of one of these feasts.

The Ivan Kupala Night

Kalyady

By the way, it was at the fairs in the old days when strolling players and puppeteers gave their performances. Small puppet theatres called “Batleika” were popular in Belarus. They features stories from the Bible about Christ and his birth.

Our forefathers gave us some essential knowledge that makes us believe that if a young man and a girl jump over the highest of all flames hand in hand they will live a long and happy life together.

Each person within the groups of young people in the celebrations has some role according to his character and temperament.

It is the when three ritual suppers (Kuttya) are prepared in every Belarusian home. Our forefathers believed that “Kuttya” (a sort of porridge, “kasha made from barely) was a symbol of immortality and the eternity of life.

While girls play with wreaths and tell their fortune, young men start making fires.

During this period, Belarusians like to visit each other, to celebrate weddings, to arrange fairs.

Girls also stick some burning candles into their wreaths and make bets whose wreath remains on the surface longer.

This night is always filled with miracles: you may hear the whisper of herbs and see mermaids, watch trees change places and witness the bright light of the blossoming fern flower.

The host and the hostess usually give generous gifts to the guests to thank them for the well-wishing, congratulations, and the singing and playing.

It is a sin to sleep in the shortest night of the year, as there are plenty of other things to do: read fortune, jump over the fire….

Amateur actors wore the masks of Goats, Bears, Storks, Horses, Gypsies, and Old Men in performances.

How did our forefathers start the day?

One of them bears the star, the others sing songs.

The feast of fire, water and loved filled me the certainty that life is given to all of us for happiness, joy and love.

Amateur musicians play an accordion or beat a tambourine.

The main purpose of this folk feast is to get rid of everything that is bad, ill, and dirty in one’s life and to begin a new life cycle, living with joy and optimism.