Kholopenichi suburb, in the Krupki District, is reviving its historical street names, which honour particular figures: some will even boast more than two names
Andrey Vakulov, the Chairman of Kholopenichi Rural Executive Committee has initiated the idea, being eager to raise public awareness of cultural aspects of the town, and some of the great figures who were born or lived in the town: among them, teacher and ethnographer Adam Bogdanovich, the father of poet Maxim Bogdanovich.The annual Khalopenitski Karagod (Kholopenichi round dance) festival, held on September 27th, was the perfect time to launch the innovation, explains Mr. Vakulov. He tells us, “We erected extra street name plaques, having seen the phenomenon reported online; it’s common across Russia, where they specify the present and ancient names of streets. Reviving historical names isn’t easy, since various permissions must be granted, but it’s a wonderful way of reminding people — especially youngsters — of our history.”
New signs are now installed in the historical centre, at the crossroads. Ancient names names in Kholopenichi are rather practical for orientation in the settlement, while Revalyutsyinaya is now also marked Zamkavaya (the street leading to the heart of the settlement). Leninskaya Street is also Padbyarezskaya (a continuation of birch avenue) and has one more name: Uznatskaya (it’s a stone’s throw to the village of Uznatsk). Pershamaiskaya is now also marked as Chareiskaya (directing travellers to Chareya) while Savetskaya’s second name is Barysauskaya. Meanwhile, 8 Sakavika is now also Padkryzhskaya (leading under kryzhy (crosses) to the cemetery).
Baranovichi, Mogilev and other cities have also undertaken similar measures, but remain among the minority.
