On December 19, the Press House hosted a press conference "History and modernity of Belarusian literature on the pages of Belarusian magazines", dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the magazine “Polymia”.
Authors, scientists, publishing house directors, editors-in-chief and department editors of Belarusian periodicals, as well as experts from the National Library of Belarus (NLB), attended the event.
The editor-in-chief of the magazine "Polymia", the poet Viktor Shnip, Deputy Director of the Publishing House "Mastatskaja Litaratuta", started the press conference. He discussed the magazine's past and present while expressing thanks to his predecessors, colleagues, and writers who have contributed significantly to its growth by being published in "Polymia" and still are. The anniversary issue of the journal, which Viktor Anatolyevich introduced, is a sort of digest based on items published in the publication since the rare December issue of 1922.
Ales Karlyukevich, Chairman of the Writers' Union of Belarus and Director of the Zviazda Publishing House, remembered a number of individuals who helped shape the history of "Polymia", who established its traditions, acknowledged the contribution of contemporary authors and editors of the publication, outlined the magazine's prospects, and emphasised the high level of publishing culture and professionalism in the magazine.
Today, the magazine serves as a platform for the publication of literary works as well as the development of the public's consciousness in a certain sector, laying forth specific aesthetic standards and shaping the reader's perception of the state of literature today. Ales Badak, the director of the publishing house "Mastatskaja Litaratura", voiced this viewpoint while highlighting the value of print magazines and their advantages over online publications.
Professor Ivan Saverchenko, Doctor of Philology, Director of the Yanka Kupala Institute of Literary Studies branch of the Center for the Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, congratulated the magazine on its 100th anniversary. He emphasised the editorial office's excellent work, the publication's contemporary mission, and its key responsibilities.
Yulia Amosova, chief bibliographer of the National Library of Belarus' Information and Analytical Department, spoke about preserving magazines, the quantity of "Polymia" in the collection, its digitization, and the public's interest in it. She brought up the collaborative project "On the wave of time, throughout the life", which was devoted to the literary organisation "Maladniak", which had once served as a springboard for aspiring writers and the origin of "Polymia".
Editor of the Department of Criticism and Literary Studies at the magazine "Polymia", Natalia Kozopolyanskaya, recalled its customs and categories when reviewing contents released in the magazine's 2022 anniversary year.
Editor-in-chief of the Neman magazine Natalia Kostyuchenko expressed her congratulations. She recounted the history of the Neman, which modern authors have identified as present issues of concern.
Yulia Aleichenko, editor of the poetry and criticism department of the magazine "Maladosts", assessed the journal, noting its areas of activity, individual articles, and design elements.
Viktor Shnip summarised the findings, highlighted the "Polymia"’s potential, and revealed the forthcoming events and issue of the publication that would usher in the magazine’s new century.
We wish "Polymia" magazine a successful future of more than a century!
We would like to remind you that the full texts of the "Polymia" magazine are available in the electronic resource of the National Library of Belarus "Belarusskaya litaraturnaya spadchyna. Chasopisy 1919– 1939".
The press conference, "History and Modernity of Belarusian Literature on the Pages of Belarusian Magazines", was broadcast live on video, which you may watch here.
Photo of the Press House.
The article is provided by the Information and Analytical Activity Department.
