FEBRUARY 2010

Back with the children from Belarus and our old familiar catchment area
of Ossipovichy and the surrounding villages. Six boys and six girls arrived late
on Sunday evening the 14th February. Each year brings its crop of unforgettable
iconic images and here Diana Kuntzevitch gathering snowdrops on the first day
with her blue coat and a magnificent red 'liberty' cap was one such. With its fold over
top and  stitched gold sequins it could have graced a mademoiselle in the French Revolution!
Each day she chose to wear it was brighter  for its a crimson splendour!

The sun continued to shine on us for the duration of the visit which was excellently organised by Carole
Alabaster seen here on the left with the whole group  just before we go into 'The Nag's Head' for lunch
after a long walk in the woods at Abercych. Also present centre is Tania their school teacher and in the purple coat
Irina Valeriyanovna the group leader on her third visit to Pembrokeshire.

Pembroke Castle gave us a chance to pit boys against girls in a 100mtr sprint. Sorry girls but the
boys came in 5 of the first 6 places and in the lead Artiom Lebedev, followed by Maxim, Roma, Lisa, Dima and Igor!

Amongst the girls there was some singing talent and with a backing track they brought with them we were able to make
a recording of a couple of songs. The one featured here is 'Sun over Belarus' sung by Vika Antonenka. It is very
 patriotic and the translation runs approximately as follows.

Sun Over Belarus

 White camomile flowers in the meadow bluebells and cornflowers
I run in the fields in summer and the whole world opens for me

Somewhere there is rain and somewhere thunderstorms,
somewhere shines the rainbow’s arch.
The dew sparkles on the grass and at night a thousand stars shine.

 Chorus.
Sun over my Belarus
May it shine for a thousand year
I am proud of my country of birth                       
And know it could not be surpassed.                      

 In autumn the leaves are golden coloured
and in winter with white snow
You amaze me with your beauty of which I can’t see enough.

 Where the sea lies and the seagull’s cry
where the waters beat against the lighthouse
Leaving all this behind I will always return.

 Everyway I love Belarus
And would be there forever!

 Chorus.