Jewish community in Pinsk celebrates 500th anniversary

The celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Jewish community at the southern Belarusian town of Pinsk culminated on February 11 with the contest of children’s drawings devoted to the life of the community.

The commission chose 4 winners out of 46 contenders, but prizes and money awards were given to all the participants.

“I have seen many drawings, and I can draw myself, but I must say that there are excellent works among the presented drawings, noted the President of the Union of Belarusian Jews, Leanid Levin. “I am going to present some of the works in one of my new memorials,” he added.

The audience included guests from Belarus, Israel, Canada, USA, Ukraine and other countries. Everyone ranging from ordinary pensioners to the leaders of civil and religious groups, was welcome.

All the participants of the festivities received souvenirs. Congratulations alternated with awards and performances. A student of the local lore Tattiana Hvahina presented the book “Holocaust in Pinsk District”.

The performance of an Israeli chorus “Ryna” was a nice surprise.

Photo by Nasta Leskavets