Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 31 July (BelTA) – Belarusian land has given the world great poets and writers, artists and composers, political figures and scientists, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the event to celebrate the 215th anniversary of Belarusian-born scientist Ignacy Domeyko hosted by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 31 July, BelTA has learned.

“Ignacy Domeyko is one of the famous sons of Belarus who represents the connection of Belarusians with other nations of the world. I would like to express special gratitude and respect to our distinguished guests, direct descendants of Ignacy Domeyko, who came to us from Australia, the United States and Chile. I am pleased to welcome foreign and Belarusian experts who study and multiply the scientific legacy of Ignacy Domeyko. I am pleased to see among the guests the representatives of the diplomatic corps, including diplomats from the countries that are associated with the life of our famous countryman,” Vladimir Makei noted.

“Belarusian land has given the world great poets and writers, artists and composers, political figures and scientists,” he added.

The minister is convinced that people like Ignacy Domeyko laid the foundation of the national identity of the Belarusian people and contributed to the formation of the Belarusian nation. Ignacy Domeyko was a multidisciplinary and highly professional scientist: he moved easily from geology to botany, from economy to literature, from geography to education. His life was closely associated with Chile. The Chilean government declared Ignacy Domeyko national hero. His Chilean period of life was filled with hard work, expeditions to mountains and deserts, and teaching at the University. He is the author of 130 scientific papers. Textbooks by Ignacy Domeyko are studied by many generations of students of Chile, Peru, and Mexico.

Over 70 memorials in Europe and America commemorate the life and work of Ignacy Domeyko.

The memory of Ignacy Domeyko is honored in Belarus. There is a memorial sign in his honor in his native village of Bolshaya Medvyadka in the Grodno region. His name was given to streets in Minsk, Grodno, Baranovichi, and Lida. On the initiative of Belarus, the year 2002 was declared by UNESCO the Year of Ignacy Domeyko.

For her part, Belarusian Information Minister Lilia Ananich presented the first copy of a Belarusian translation of the book written by Paz Domeyko, a granddaughter of Ignacy Domeyko, issued in Belarus. The minister noted that the book was issued by the Information Ministry on the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lilia Ananich emphasized the importance of the book as it tells about the life and work of the famous scientist. Copies of the book will be kept at different libraries across Belarus.

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also arranged an exhibition celebrating the life, work, and scientific legacy of Ignacy Domeyko.