Re-Creator of the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk About the Protesters: How Bright, Brave, and Wonderful People Are

Mikalaj Kuzmich about the events in Belarus and Brest.

Aliaksandr Siednieu, a journalist with "Evening Brest" talks in the studio to the famous artist Mikalaj Piatrovich Kuzmich, the creator of the Belarusian shrine, the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk. In other circumstances, it would be appropriate to be interested in the intricacies of art, to prepare readers for the upcoming 70th anniversary of the master. But the master does not work. And no conversation can take us away from the events in Belarus and Brest. On August 20, he and other artists took part in a flash mob on the steps of the exhibition hall on Sovieckaja. What can an artist say to protesters?

- ... I am personally completely disorganized: neither to work, nor to fish ... I do not want to do anything! The picture is different, but the brains are the same! I can judge by what I saw on the TV picture, on the street, what I heard from my acquaintances. What does not fit in my head is extreme sadism towards our peaceful people, the people of Brest. We are all stuck somewhere at the level of development. Well, what is it like ten to one? Man has no right to be a sadist. Who will be responsible for the beaten and raped? There can be no forgiveness, and they must be punished; otherwise, there will be no end!

- Who did you call during these difficult days?

- My friends. I will not say names. Some of them said that it was fascism ... People are puzzled.

- How did you personally experience emotionally?

- There was anger, helplessness. We have nothing to answer; we have no weapons, we can only answer with our sides, our foreheads ... Terrorists are at least making demands. And this ...

"Aren't you afraid of talking about it?"

- I answer. I lived my life. I don't know if I'm afraid or not. To say I'm not afraid is not true. Thoughts are in my head. Yes, okay for myself - for people. The young people were pulled out - and not because they were guilty, but because an order was received - to expose the young people as instigators to teach a lesson.

If all of Belarus came out, I do not believe in any instigators, I do not believe! And the fact that someone allegedly paid, especially.

We must save people, save the people! Here in this workshop, where I'm talking to you, I made the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, I made "raka" for the Cross. But something has changed in the country, something has gone wrong.

- Who deserves kind words for what has been done in recent days?

- These are our youth. Whoever said anything ... High, prostitutes - what are you talking about? I was so happy when I stood on the steps of the exhibition hall, my soul was torn. God, I think what bright people! This is our future, by all parameters, I would kneel before them. Young, brave, and wonderful. Let them be there with drawings on their hands, with bows, bumps, whatever. These are other people, that's their charm. What can you put on them, can you put them in the same robes? I discovered the world - this is a wonderful young generation, even if no one bombed or beat them.

Reference

Mikalaj Piatrovich Kuzmich was born in the village Patryki, Kobryn district, Brest region. He graduated from the Minsk Art School named after A. K. Hiebau.

The artist-jeweler, who revived the technique of ancient Byzantine cloisonne enamel of the XII century, is one of the five best masters in the world, working in a unique technique of hot enamels.

Author of the reconstruction of the national shrine of Belarus - the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk and the silver "raka" of the incorruptible relics of the saint.

Since 1987 he has been a member of the Belarusian Union of Artists and the head of the Brest branch of the Union of Artists. Honored artist of the Republic of Belarus, winner of the Presidential Prize "For Spiritual Revival." He was awarded the Order of Francis Skaryna. On August 16, 2019, Mikalj Kuzmich was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Brest."