SLAVGOROD DISTRICT, 13 July (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the Blue Spring hydrological monument of the national value in Slavgorod District on 13 July, BelTA has learned.
Before that, Aleksandr Lukashenko talked to local residents who sell home-made products here, like cheese, honey, hand-made goods. The head of state tasted these products and shared his impressions about them.
The president was given a gift – a figure of a Domovoy (household god) that is used as an amulet.
“This is the result of preserving the countryside, small towns. Had we neglected them, we would not have seen this beauty. These people are precious, they make something with their own hands,” the head of state said talking about artisans and their products.
The president was also treated to local honey. He talked to the beekeepers and noted that he also keeps bees. “You are doing a great thing. We will support you in every way,” he assured.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the spring is a wonderful site. Talking to people who came here he recollected his participation in the restoration of the Trofimov Spring in the community where he was born.
“It is worth coming here to get away from the pandemic. I have tasted honey, dived into the water,” the Belarusian leader said.
The bridge across the Sozh River inaugurated in Slavgorod District ensures comfortable access to the spring. It is a small picturesque lake of some 20-25m in diameter, surrounded by trees. The spring was described by Belarusian anthropologist Yevdokim Romanov in the early 20th century. The scholar said that the water in the spring was of unique purity and taste, while the spring itself possessed life giving powers. The water of the spring is turquoise and emerald green. It rises up from the depth of 100-200m, coming through a layer of chalk.
A stream flows from the spring into the Goluba River (an influent of the Sozh River). The water of the spring is of high drinking quality. People believe in the healing power of the water from the Blue Spring.
There is a legend about the spring. It says that giants lived on the banks of the full-flowing Sozh River a long time ago. Courageous Ivan and cheerful Stepan fell in love with beautiful Ekaterina. The girl liked Stepan but Ivan sent marriage brokers to her parents and she did not dare to refuse. Then Ekaterina came up with a competition for the grooms: she chose a big stone for Stepan and even a bigger one for his rival and asked the young men to throw the stones across the river. The one who will throw the stone farther will become my husband, the girl said. When she saw that Stepan was losing, she uttered: “I'd rather turn into a spring than live with the man I do not love.”
On the Savior of the Honey Feast Day on 14 August, Orthodox church holds services at the spring in honor of the Life-giving Cross, Most Holy Mother of God and Holy Maccabean Martyrs. For Eastern Slavs this day is celebrated as the Baptism of Russia. On this day residents of the Sozh River basin (Mogilev Oblast and Gomel Oblast in Belarus) and neighboring regions of Russia and Ukraine gather at the Blue Spring in Slavgorod District.
The springs have been taken under the protection of the state. The concept of an eco-tourist park has been drawn up.
