Ideologist at circus: There are distortions, but overall our life is good
Euroradio asked some of 10 thousand ideologists in Belarus what they see as the main purpose in their taxpayer-funded job.
Ideologists work everywhere - in every farm, executive committee or a ministry. There is even a position of ideologist at Belposhta (Belpost). Mikalai Novikau is a chief ideologist. Ideologist recommends "getting any booklet on ideological work at the enterprise and read from it." But then Mikalai explained to us the purpose of having an ideologist at Belpochta.
"Organizing and ideological support, monitoring, assistance in dealing with social issues. Management of cultural events, sports and recreation, work in the dorm, interaction with trade union, red cross and the Council of Veterans, Belaya Rus (White Rus) and the Belarusian Republican Youth Union. It is a complex job involving all these structures and instruments for the management of work with people in the field. If the conditions are not created, people will be unhappy," Mikalai Novikau names the reasons for its existence. So event manager, PE instructor and cleaner at the dormitory are all ideologists?
At the same time, the job description does not have a single word on event and holiday management.
Incidentally, Euroradio has found at the site of Ministry of Labor 18 vacancies for ideologists. Offered salaries range from 2.5 to 5 million rubles.
There is a need for an ideologist at, for example, the farm "Hammer and Sickle" in Chavusy rayon in Mahiliou. The promised salary is no less than 4 million. Requirements are an automobile and work experience.
"What do ideologists do? They do ideological work - info on this can be found online. They need to manage all the issues: alcoholism, work ethic. They should be a deputy head of the collective farm. But we never had this person here, so when they appear, we will we print the instruction to know what he should do," say the farm workers.
Here's what's happening at the Akvadiv distillery. Deputy General Director Alyaksandr Hirs, who is also the Deputy Director of ideological work and agriculture is now on vacation. But the receptionist listed his responsibilities:
"Ideologist is engaged in ideological work"
Euroradio: "What kind?"
"People turn to him for help, and he looks into their issues. He decides who gets sponsorship help. He supervises cultural and sporting events."
Again, it sounds very much like event management and not ideology. They should have called it thus.
Chief ideologist of the Homiel State Circus Alyaksandr Haikou deals with newspaper subscriptions, the management of festivals, cultural and sports events. Even the circus has this post!
"I deal with subscriptions to newspapers and veterans - it is necessary to help her in time. I also promote our way of life - the best in the world. People need to know that, yes, there are some distortions, but overall we have good life. It is necessary to explain thimg to people. Our way of life should be promoted. You see, our president has been in power for some time, and you can walk down the street freely and not be afraid of anything. After all, the president dealt with all sorts of hooligans. That's how it is."
