The public associations Go East Generationen e.V. and Deutsch-Russische Festtage e.V., with the informational support of BERLIN24.RU, continue their consistent activities aimed at the most accurate, careful, and reliable presentation of the characteristic features of historical traditions, cultural heritage, linguistic diversity, and everyday life of the peoples of the former Soviet republics.

This significantly contributes to the natural exchange of knowledge and experience among people, helping them overcome existing artificial clichés and false prejudices. For the unique originality and identity of nations reliably preserve their value and relevance, regardless of time and space.

The efforts of the mentioned associations are fully realized in a series of cultural events held at the Tierparkhotel Abacus (Franz-Mett-Str. 3-9, 10319 Berlin) under the motto “Guest at Abacus.” Over time, they have earned well-deserved recognition and deep respect from many residents and guests of Berlin, proving their competence, relevance, and significance in practice.

It is worth noting that each such event includes literary readings, lectures by cultural scientists, historians and country experts, meetings with artists, authors, directors, journalists, and representatives of various embassies. A permanent element of such meetings is the presentation of the national cuisine of the country to which the event is dedicated.

This time, on September 24, the Republic of Belarus was the “Guest at Abacus,” famous for its harmonious combination of historical heritage, unique cultural characteristics, and stunning natural reserves. Above all, however, for its people, often astonishing with their hospitality, modesty, diligence and responsibility, attachment to their land, loyalty to high moral values, and good traditions.

All this, to one degree or another, was felt during the screenings of landscape films and video clips about the Republic of Belarus and was also reflected in the speech of Monika Tharann, the long-time former Managing Director of the respected foundation “West-Östliche Begegnungen.”

A special warmth and touching spirituality were brought into the atmosphere of the event by the performance of the Louis-Markovič Trio: Urbach (violin, guitar), Max Schlegel (double bass), Hannes Krause (guitar, trumpet), representing the internationally recognized Oskar Strock and Eddie Rosner Society (Internationalen Oskar Strock und Eddie Rosner Gesellschaft e.V.). Their participation was both appropriate and meaningful — and here is why.

Eddie Rosner (Adolf Rosner, 1910, Berlin – 1976, West Berlin) was a dedicated advocate and promoter of the multifaceted jazz culture. His rare talent as a conductor, virtuoso trumpeter (“the world’s second trumpet” or “the white Louis” after Louis Armstrong), composer, violinist, and arranger earned him recognition and respect from generations of popular musicians.

He lived and worked in Germany, Poland, and the USSR. Several periods of his difficult and thorny life path were directly connected with Belarus. It was here that he founded and led a large jazz orchestra, which in 1939 in Minsk was granted the status of the State Jazz Orchestra of the Belarusian SSR. In 1944, he was awarded the title “Honored Artist of the BSSR.” Even in retirement (1971), at the Gomel Regional Philharmonic, he managed to form his last Soviet jazz band.

Exclusively for BERLIN24, Steffen Schwarz, Chairman of the Board of Deutsch-Russische Festtage e.V. (DRFe.V.), commented on the origins of the “Guest at Abacus” events and some of their conceptual features.

“The idea and concept of these events belong to our association. They were developed in April 2023. After the end of the ‘German-Russian Festivals’ (Karlshorst) in 2016, after the coronavirus pandemic, and in particular after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the association considered it necessary to create a format where people could meet and exchange opinions on certain topics without false prejudices or artificial stereotypes.

It took time to coordinate actions with some partners (Go East Generationen e.V., ABACUS Tierpark Hotel, and BERLIN24.RU) before starting with the first thematic evening in November 2023 (Republic of Kazakhstan).

‘Zu Gast im ABACUS’ (‘Guest at Abacus’) is a format in the form of round tables, readings, lectures, discussion circles, etc. Their goal is to introduce all interested people to the history, culture, traditions, and languages of the former Soviet republics. Ideally, after the event, participants might be inspired to travel to one of these countries in the post-Soviet space to see everything with their own eyes.

So far, thematic evenings dedicated to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Georgia have been held. Today, the event was dedicated to the Republic of Belarus. The reaction of the participants and all those present was extremely positive. This, of course, motivates us to continue in the future and perhaps make such events even better.

By the way, the format itself will deliberately be continued, taking into account the possibilities of organizing concert performances. In this context, there are already several initiative proposals and ideas. But it is not worth anticipating. In any case, next year our audience can look forward to new thematic evenings within the framework of the “Guest at Abacus” cycle.