First "Prosvita" in Kobrin 

Kobrin → Outstanding persons → Alexey Mikhaylovich Martynov

In the mid-twenties one of prominent politicians of the revived Poland Grabsky published the brochure in which it is unknown from what motives with extreme frankness stated the official concept of strategic plans of foreign and domestic policy Nayasneysha Zhechipospolita. On the first point it was reduced to what should be used in every possible way, besides in extremely short time, disorder and weakening of Russia to try to restore the Polish borders existing to partitions of Poland of the end of the 18th century that is completely to include Belarusian and partly the Ukrainian lands, having moved apart Poland "from the sea to the sea" and having brought population to 70-80 million. Only then, as envisioned by the author, Poland could feel rather confident in the relation of immemorial foes — Russia and Germany.

What concerned population policy, that main attention should have been concentrated on perhaps faster assimilation of Slavic ethnic minorities. And as it was necessary to consider the serious resistance of Belarusians in the north and Ukrainians of Galichina in the south, it was necessary to use low-consciousness in the national relation of poleshuk, to use some kind of "buffer" to hammer a wedge between more firm Belarusians and Ukrainians Kresuv Vskhodnikh and from here to lead the consecutive opolyachivaniye on the North and the South. Let's remember that for poleshuk even the original word - "tuteyshy", i.e. local was thought up, - which appeared in official documents. Such is there was an official scheme of political-national strategy of the Polish ruling clique calculated for the next decades.

The economic concept was even more primitive: to bend all efforts and funds for all-round development of the industry of primordially Polish central and western voivodeships, having divided Poland into Poland-and and Poland-B. And the modest part of a raw appendage was assigned to the last. This plan was steadily carried out up to fatal September, 1939.

Such is there was the general political and economic background on which in the late twenties there was in Kobrin an Ukrainian cultural and educational society "Prosvita" which soon won great popularity among progressive youth.

Whether it is worth saying what huge administrative obstacles initiators Dimitrii Rafalovich, Vasily Parkhotik, Iosif Satsevich, Gnoyanko, Demidyuk, Kirichenko happened to overcome it... For those times - I will not be afraid of exaggeration - the ekstravazhny event, especially if to remember that in an extensive Kobrin povet there was no hint on the Ukrainian school even took place...

The most active participation in activity of choral, musical, scenic circles was accepted by Pyotr Yarotsevich, Nikolay Vasilevsky, Vasily Karlitsky, Sofya Klycheva and a great number of other enthusiasts.

On permanently populous practises and rehearsals reigned the festive mood is raised. For creative activity of the non Polish and non Jewish youth of the city thanks to "Prosvita" there was a certain outlet, an opportunity to prove, having come off though for a while oppressive, hopelessly sad reality.

Some kind of deification were statements on a scenic stage of such plays as "Nazar Stodolya" of T. Shevchenko, "Naymichka" of Karpenka-Kary, etc. Performances of the populous choral and tool collective singing heart-felt Ukrainian songs had invariable success. And the head of "Prosvita", the young, vigorous native of Galichina whose surname, alas, was not remembered was original soul and "ringleader" of all actions.

Thanks to donations soon at "Prosvita" there was a small library containing several honeycombs of Ukrainian books, use of which was free.

Needless to say, all activity of the newly appeared center of culture was under suspicion at the authorities and was under vigilant "cap" of a local defenziva. And still several years later the period of relative liberalization broke that was reflected in further activity of useful undertaking which was from the very beginning given a hostile reception by the Polish chauvinists and clericals. The authorities suddenly bethought and "slammed" "Prosvita", having seen in its further existence the certain "vyvrotovy" elements threatening to shake if not to subvert, the existing state foundations.

Since then passed decades, however the former activists of "Prosvita" at meetings with invariable warmth remembered the unforgettable hours together spent on rehearsals and the subsequent performances before permanently appreciative and attentive audience.

A. Martynov

Martynov, And. First "Prosvita" in Kobrin / Alexey Martynov//Beresteysky edge. – 1996. – berezen. – Page 3.



Navigation





Our partners