On 17 April, the National Library hosted a cultural and educational event titled ”The Masters of Belarusian Culture. Vladimir Olovnikov”, dedicated to the life and work of the well-known Belarusian composer and People’s Artist of the BSSR, Vladimir Olovnikov.
Vladimir Olovnikov is the author of many popular songs including Radzima maya daragaya (My Dear Homeland), The Forest Song, The Song about Minsk etc. The tune of Radzima maya daragaya was the Belarusian radio call sign during thirty years. His rich legacy is known both in Belarus and far beyond its borders. In 2019, we have celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of the composer.
Director of the National Library, PhD, Professor Roman Motulsky opened the event with a welcoming address.
Igor Olovnikov, Professor, People’s Artist of Belarus, laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Belarus, shared his memories about the father’s life and work. The guests got a unique opportunity to listen to the composer's musical performed by virtuoso Igor Olovnikov.
Victor Voytik, composer, Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus, Professor of the Belarusian Academy of Music, and Mikhail Zhilyuk Associate Professor of the Belarusian Academy of Music, Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus, Honored Artist of Ukraine, Soloist of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus, shared their memories of Vladimir Olovnikov and their friendship.
Anatoly Popov, director of the Children's Music School of Arts № 11 named after Vladimir Olovnikov in Minsk, spoke about his acquaintance with the outstanding composer. For more than 35 years, pupils of this school have learnt to love, understand and professionally perform the music of the Belarusian composer.
The songs of Vladimir Olovnikov were performed at the event: Somewhere in the Village performed by Alexander Terekhov (accompaniment: Alexander Pesotsky, Anton Kolenik), Forest Song performed by Mikhail Rusinovsky and Alexander Terekhov (accompaniment: Igor Olovnikov).
The event featured an exhibition dedicated to the outstanding composer’s life and career. The publications from the collections of the National Library of Belarus and the Belarusian State Academy of Music were on display.
The National Library of Belarus expresses gratitude to Igor Olovnikov for a valuable gift for our readers, Ekaterina Dulova, director of the Belarusian State Academy of Music, for providing Vladimir Olovnikov’s original documents for digitization, and all those who participated in the event and paid tribute to the memory of the famous Belarusian composer.
Electronic Library Development Department
