Charismatics artistes in Belarus teach out of interest, not for money
Self-sufficient creative people in Belarus also work at state-owned institutions. The European Radio for Belarus explores why and how the government evaluates their efforts. Palace frontman Aleh Khamenka teaches music producing technology at the University of Culture. After postgraduate school, he was asked to work at the faculty. He could refuse, but people really asked him so much. He has taught there for several years just because he finds it very interesting as the salary is peanuts.
Aleh Khamenka: “A professor gets 520,000-540,000 rubels monthly for 900 lecture hours per annum without bonuses. I work part-time, so I get ridiculous money -- 230,000 or 240,000 rubels ($80).
Aleh can be easily described as a unique specialist. Apart from him, this course is taught only at the Institute of Contemporary Knowledge.
Aleh Khamenka: “I am treated very well at the faculty, because they understand I can give real knowledge in this field. There are not so many books on this topic, but I have both the practical and theoretical experience that I offer to students. Actually, it is common for unique specialists to get paid really well or peanuts. It has always been this way with unique specialists.
Despite his wife asking him to quit teaching for peanuts and dedicating more time with the family, he is not going to do so. He is just excited about this job, because it is interesting.
Famous playwright Andrei Kureichyk also works for 100,000 rubels per month ($33) because of his committment. He is returning to teach at the University of Culture. Since he spends most of his time in Moscow, he has to spend more than his salary in Minsk for a train ticket. "Unfortunately, I had to subsidize this job myself. A train ticket from Moscow to Minsk costs more than I used to get per month. Besides, when I lived in Belarus, I had to drive 40 km from my village to Minsk and to pay my driver to bring me back", Kureichyk says.
He has agreed only because dramatic art in Belarus has been in crisis in recent years. He wants to push it forward to raise more professionals among his colleagues. But, the administration of the university did not appreciate him both monetarily and professionally. He was fired from the university for his interview with independent newspaper Salidarnasc. "I quit and went public about what happened. Then, they tried to find ways of reconciliation. I received calls from the president's administration, Ministry of Culture. They sent letters to the academy, trying to apologize and resolve the conflict. I felt it". Kureichyk says.
It was his students who managed to get him back. He is confident he will not get a warm welcome at the faculty. But, he doesn't care. He is ready to work for the same peanuts of 100,000 rubels just because it is interesting and morally awarding.
NRM leader Lyavon Volski found it an intersting experience to compose the soundtrack for Das ist Fantastisch! movie produced by Belarusfilm. Although his salary was peanuts, he got satisfied anyway, because he got a new experience. He will agree to do it again only if he likes the story and the people who will be shooting a new flick.
Aleh Khamenka: “A professor gets 520,000-540,000 rubels monthly for 900 lecture hours per annum without bonuses. I work part-time, so I get ridiculous money -- 230,000 or 240,000 rubels ($80).
Aleh can be easily described as a unique specialist. Apart from him, this course is taught only at the Institute of Contemporary Knowledge.
Aleh Khamenka: “I am treated very well at the faculty, because they understand I can give real knowledge in this field. There are not so many books on this topic, but I have both the practical and theoretical experience that I offer to students. Actually, it is common for unique specialists to get paid really well or peanuts. It has always been this way with unique specialists.
Despite his wife asking him to quit teaching for peanuts and dedicating more time with the family, he is not going to do so. He is just excited about this job, because it is interesting.
Famous playwright Andrei Kureichyk also works for 100,000 rubels per month ($33) because of his committment. He is returning to teach at the University of Culture. Since he spends most of his time in Moscow, he has to spend more than his salary in Minsk for a train ticket. "Unfortunately, I had to subsidize this job myself. A train ticket from Moscow to Minsk costs more than I used to get per month. Besides, when I lived in Belarus, I had to drive 40 km from my village to Minsk and to pay my driver to bring me back", Kureichyk says.
He has agreed only because dramatic art in Belarus has been in crisis in recent years. He wants to push it forward to raise more professionals among his colleagues. But, the administration of the university did not appreciate him both monetarily and professionally. He was fired from the university for his interview with independent newspaper Salidarnasc. "I quit and went public about what happened. Then, they tried to find ways of reconciliation. I received calls from the president's administration, Ministry of Culture. They sent letters to the academy, trying to apologize and resolve the conflict. I felt it". Kureichyk says.
It was his students who managed to get him back. He is confident he will not get a warm welcome at the faculty. But, he doesn't care. He is ready to work for the same peanuts of 100,000 rubels just because it is interesting and morally awarding.
NRM leader Lyavon Volski found it an intersting experience to compose the soundtrack for Das ist Fantastisch! movie produced by Belarusfilm. Although his salary was peanuts, he got satisfied anyway, because he got a new experience. He will agree to do it again only if he likes the story and the people who will be shooting a new flick.
