The Day of Belarusian Written Language is celebrated on the first Sunday in September. The driving idea of the holiday is the demonstration of the inviolability of the unity of the Belarusian printed word and the history of the people of the country.
Belarusian writing is famous for its centuries-old traditions. The books, the words of the country's thinkers and poets reflect the history of the people, the glorious deeds of its great sons. A careful attitude towards native writing helps to preserve and increase the cultural and spiritual values accumulated by previous generations.
The enlighteners of the Belarusian people are figures of a European scale. These include Francis Skaryna, whose fresco is on the wall of the University of Padua, next to portraits of other Renaissance celebrities. A native of Polotsk, it was he who translated the Bible into the Old Belarusian language. Melentiy Smotritsky published the famous book "Slovenian Grammar Correct Syntagma", which for many years became a guide to Belarusian writing. It was widely used in Russia as well, it was from it that Mikhailo Lomonosov learned to read and write.
The works of spiritual ascetics are of particular importance for the Belarusian and Russian peoples. These are Kirill Turovsky, a preacher and a pillar, who left the poetic legacy "The Word of Wisdom", and Simeon Polotsky, whose work is not only one of the sources of Belarusian literature, but also laid the foundation for Russian theater and versification. Euphrosyne of Polotsk is especially respected by the Belarusian people - an ascetic who preferred heavenly wisdom to the golden glitter of princely glory.
Traditionally, the holiday of Belarusian writing is held in cities - historical centers of science, culture, printing and literature. In 1994, the celebration took place for the first time in the ancient Belarusian city of Polotsk. Subsequently, other historically significant cultural centers became the capital of the holiday: Orsha, Turov, Nesvizh, Novogrudok, Pinsk, Mstislavl, Zaslavl, Mir, Postavy, Kamenets.
Every year, on this day, various festive events are held in the country. Book exhibitions are organized in libraries, seminars and lectures on the theme of the holiday are held in schools and other cultural institutions. Theatrical processions are held in the squares. The events are attended by the highest officials of the Republic of Belarus: representatives of embassies, heads of ministries, workers of culture, literature, art, science, journalists, foreign delegations.
