ZburazhBY
The village is located in the southwestern part of the Brest region, not far from the Polish and Ukrainian borders (about 20km away), and 5km from the city of Malaryta.
Zburazh is surrounded on all sides by forests, mostly pine and birch trees. The surroundings of the village are known for their rich mushroom and blueberry places, and small swamps where cranberries are harvested. The village is located on a large chalk block, so chalk quarries are being developed here, from which sand is also being extracted for the construction of local roads, and the manufacture of building blocks at a factory in the neighbouring village of Khotislav.
Previously, about 3,000 people lived in the village; there was a bank, a post office, a cultural centre, a clinic, a school, a kindergarten, a sauna and a market. Now only the post office, the school, and the clinic remain. There are two shops in the village, state and private. Moreover, there is an Orthodox Church, but the priest is not local, so services are rarely held, only several times a year.
Administratively, the village is under the control of a local agriculture town called Oltush, and all forest land is subordinated to the forestry of the village of Gvoznitsa. There are two barns belonging to the Oltush collective farm (Kolhoz).
The population of the village consists of mainly elderly permanent residents, and the younger generation who buy or build housing here for summer residences, to garden or just to come on holiday.
Pigs and cows are bred here, and a wide variety of poultry. But the most popular and profitable activity now is the cultivation of bog blueberries, which are exported even to neighbouring countries.
Most of the population goes to work in Malaryta. The men mostly work in the Malaryta forestry (leshoz) or leave to work as truck drivers in neighbouring countries; the women work in the local hospital or school in Malaryta. Before the closure of the borders, many people were engaged in border trade.
| Region | Brest |
|---|---|
| Local partners |
|
| Population | About 300 |
| Common fruit, vegetables, animals | Bog blueberries, pumpkins, potatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, pigs, cows, rabbits, chickens, turkeys |
| Tradition | Сarol festivities, Easter, Ivan Kupala (Midsummer) |
| Scent | Smell of pine needles, moss, limestone |
| Distances from Zburazh | Distances
|
Artbook about Zburazh, 2024
As one of the results of our work in 2023 - 2024 we created an
Artbook that is available via link online. https://online.anyflip.com/ulapz/wtvf/mobile/index.html
You can also buy the Zburazh artbook at Casco Kiosk!
Launched alongside Hidden Arts, the kiosk offers a diverse range of merchandise, publications, books, and artworks from members of the trans-local ecosystem!
Animation "The calling of spring in Zburazh"!
Thanks to the music workshop with Anton and Hanna in March we recorded the sound of the village and forest and created a small music track. And at the beginning of the summer, during the inspiring workshop on animation techniques from Maria, it was possible to create a joint animation.
Here it is, enjoy the sound and animation we created!
In June 2024 we have met again in Zburazh to create animation and stop motion lead by Marya @pyedog_dingo
Here are some photos of backstage processes.
25 April, 2024 Viečaryna with art collective from Zburazh, Belarus
In April the Casco Art Institute: Working for the Commons hosted an evening with Zburazh art coop and the Rural School of Economics network. This gathering offered a unique opportunity to learn and hear captivating stories, sample local food from the village of Zburazh, and explore the complex histories of Belarus with members of our collective.
More info: https://casco.art/activity/casco-and-myvillages-present-rural-school-of-economics-zburazh-art-coop/
Storytelling workshop & Metaphorical cards
In January we had a creative workshop on Storytelling and Drawings by Lena @nettles_queen. We have exchanged our techniques, ideas and creativity and made a local comics and metaphorical cards.
Metaphorical cards, also known as metaphor cards are a tool used in therapy and self-reflection to facilitate communication, self-expression, and exploration of emotions, thoughts, and experiences...
We created our own story inspired by Zburazh and lifecycle in the village.
Kalyady celebration 2024
On the nigh from 13 to 14 January, already as tradition, we went from house to house in the village Zburazh, singing and dancing local songs.
That was a celebration of Kalyady in Zburazh in January 2024.
| Region | Brest |
|---|---|
| Local partners |
|
| Population | About 300 |
| Common fruit, vegetables, animals | Bog blueberries, pumpkins, potatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, pigs, cows, rabbits, chickens, turkeys |
| Tradition | Сarol festivities, Easter, Ivan Kupala (Midsummer) |
| Scent | Smell of pine needles, moss, limestone |
| Distances from Zburazh | Distances
|