Linas Linkevicius crossed the border by car and arrived in Rymdyuny where Vladimir Makei had been waiting for him. The choice of the venue for the meeting was not accidental since the small agrotown can be considered a good example of good neighborhood policies, friendly coexistence of Belarusians and ethnic Lithuanians. About 1,000 ethnic Lithuanians live in Rymdyuny and in nearby Gervyaty. “The Lithuanian diaspora in Belarus includes a total of over 5,000 people,” Vladimir Makei pointed out. “The state policy in Belarus is aimed at preserving peace, calm, and stability in our society. It is designed to prevent any interreligious and interethnic conflicts. What we see here is a vivid testimony of how people of different nationalities can live and be neighbors. Lithuanians, Belarusians, and other people live in this beautiful corner of Belarus without any problems.”
Over the course of its long history before the place became part of Belarus Rymdyuny was part of various countries such as Russia, Poland, Germany, and Lithuania. This is why representatives of different nationalities live here. Multilingualism and multiculturalism have become distinguishing traits of the region.
For instance, two schools – with Belarusian as the language of instruction and with Lithuanian as the language of instruction – exist here literally under one roof. There is also a Lithuanian culture, education, and information center here.
A cultural program with Lithuanian zest was prepared specifically for the important visitors. Vladimir Makei and Linas Linkevicius were welcomed with a traditional Lithuanian greeting dance. Four girls in traditional costumes and headdresses perform the dance bowing and as if greeting each other.
An ethnographic museum was established at premises of the Lithuanian culture, education, and information center in Rymdyuny several years ago. Enthusiasts gathered items of culture and everyday life from all over the surrounding area. At present the museum has about 500 exhibits and the number grows all the time. Most of the collection is dedicated to traditions of growing and processing flax and to manufacturing flax goods. The place of honor is given to the national anthem of Belarus, which has been woven on a linen canvas by the craftswoman Malvina Mishkinene. She used to live in a village in Ostrovets District but has moved to Lithuania since then. Museum representatives said the craftswoman had also woven the national anthem of Lithuania and had presented it to the then Lithuania President Dalia Grybauskaite. Another anthem woven using golden threads has been presented to Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko as a gift.
After examining the museum collection, the Belarusian and Lithuanian ministers of foreign affairs left the first record in the distinguished visitors' book.
Vladimir Makei wrote: “I am very impressed with the visit to possibly one of the most beautiful places in Grodno Oblast – Rymdyuny. Sincere and diligent people – Lithuanians and Belarusians – have lived here side by side for centuries. I sincerely wish prosperity, happiness, and wellbeing to the residents.”
While in Rymdyuny Vladimir Makei and Linas Linkevicius were able to address an important social issue – the provision of support for a kindergarten where Lithuanian is spoken as the language of instruction. The two ministers discussed the problem of operation of the kindergarten with representatives of local authorities. The decision to preserve the institution in Rymdyuny was made as a result. Vladimir Makei explained: “From our point of view moving the kindergarten by several kilometers to another populated locality would result in problems with the transportation of kids. There is another option: the kindergarten can be left here, can be merged with the school, and the premises can be refurnished. It will require some financial investment but we've agreed that we will also use capabilities of the good neighborhood program [tools of the European Neighborhood Policy], and will think about ways to resolve the issue. It is now necessary to put together a concrete program of action and get down to implementing it.”
Vladimir Makei and Linas Linkevicius also visited one of the most beautiful catholic temples of Belarus – Trinity Church in Gervyaty. Linas Linkevicius found out that the temple had never been closed to parishioners. Signing the distinguished visitors' book, he wished the state of affairs to continue in the future.
Vladimir Makei thanked the clergymen for preserving this most beautiful specimen of architecture for centuries. “The church is a vivid testimony of our good neighborhood, of the peaceful coexistence of people of different nationalities in the Belarusian land,” he wrote in the distinguished visitors' book. “May Lord preserve this beautiful place and entire Belarus!”
Linas Linkevicius' working visit will continue with a meeting with Vladimir Makei in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Minsk on 4 February. The meeting will be followed by a joint statement for mass media.
