Germanavichy

Germanavichy in Skaryna’s times

The first mention of Germanavichy dates back to 1563. Under this year, it is designated as a village called Ermanavichy, located on the border of the Vilnius and Polatsk voivodships. Probably, the village belonged to the Sapieha estate with the centre in Ikazn’. Following the administrative-territorial reform of 1565–1566, the village became a part of Braslaw county of the Vilnius voivodeship.

Germanavichy from the 17^th century to this day

Subsequently, Germanavichy repeatedly changed its owners. It bears the status of a town (Pol. “miasteczka”) since the 18th century. In 1782, the town belonged to the Shyryn family. The first owner of Germanavichy from this family funded the construction of the Church of the Transfiguration in the town in 1770–1787.

Shyryn Palace and Park Complex

After Germanavichy became the property of the Shyryn family at the end of the 18th century, the Shyryn palace and park complex was established in the town (after 1782). The estate has a regular layout with geometrically correct areas of an orchard, vegetable garden and several  rectangular ponds. The building pertains to Classicism. There is a small park near it.

Germanavichy Museum of Culture and Everyday Life

In 1990, the local teacher and regional ethnographer Ada Raychonak initiated and contributed to the establishment of the Germanavichy Museum of Culture and Everyday Life (of Art and Ethnography) named after Jazep Drazdovič. It received the status of a state museum in 1992. The museum has four exhibition halls, more than 400 exhibits, including 28 works by Jazep Drazdovič.

Jazep Drazdovič

Jazep Drazdovič (1888–1954), an outstanding figure of the national Renaissance, was born in the village of Pun’ki, Dzisna county. In 1917–1919, during the tempestuous military and revolutionary events, he settled with his relatives in the folwark Lyvonawka near Germanavichy. During the interwar period, Jazep Drazdovič’s life was constantly connected with the Dzisna region. In 1921, near Germanavichy, in the village of Stalitsa, he organized a Belarusian school, which, however, existed for only three months and was closed by the Polish administration. In the 1930s, together with writers Yanka Pachopka and Mikhas’ Mashara, Drazdovich created a Belarusian cultural club in Germanavichy. Every summer, he went on trips around the area, during which he painted carpets and portraits for residents.

Among the artistic heritage of Jazep Drazdovič, presented in the expositions of the museum, paintings dedicated to Francysk Skaryna occupy a significant place. During the formation of the Belarusian national movement, the figure of Skaryna begins to play an important role in his discourse. The Renaissance ideal of a multifaceted personality was in demand by the time, and therefore writers, historians and artists turned to Skaryna’s personality as a symbol of a national enlightener. Jazep Drazdovič was the first to convey the image of Skaryna in painting. Back in 1915, he created a sculptural bust of Skaryna, which he handed over to the poetess Kanstantsia Buylo. Unfortunately, neither the bust, nor his photos have survived.

In 1927, based on the famous engraving, Jazep Drazdovič painted a portrait of Skaryna, which reflected the artist’s vision of the image of the enlightener. The portrait of Skaryna also depicts material objects: a book, a seal, and a personal coat of arms.

In 1940s, Jazep Drazdovič creates an entire cycle of Skaryna’s paintings. In his painting called “Farewell to Polatsk” (“Into the World for Science”), Skaryna is depicted as a simple young man in  house-woven clothes with a bag. It displays the traditional image of leaving his home, embarking on an unknown and long journey. A logical continuation is the painting “From the World with Science”, where Skaryna is already depicted as an adult who returns to his homeland bearing the status of a scientist and specialist. This painting reveals the Renaissance idea of mastering knowledge as the mission of the intelligentsia in its service to the people. The painting “Francysk Skaryna’s Printing House in Vilnius” shows the process of creating the first Belarusian book. It depicts many characters, led by Skaryna, strenuously engaged in their work; there are books in the foreground of the painting.