Lectures

Country of three capitals

On 29 August, a meeting was held at the Blokhintsev Universal Library with a leading researcher at BLTP JINR, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor at the University of Pretoria Pavel Selishchev. The topic of the meeting was "South Africa without prejudice and stereotypes: a developed country, delightful landscapes and a "diamond" history". The event is organized as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.

Photo by Maria KARPOVA

Pavel Selishchev successfully unites scientific and teaching activities with travelling. Working for more than 10 years in the Republic of South Africa, he has traveled almost the entire territory of the region and has taken many photographs. The event was billed as a lecture on South Africa. However, Pavel Selishchev stated that this meeting was more of a friendly talk with a demonstration of slides, since there were many that wished to hear his story. And indeed, the hall was full of interested listeners: those who have already had experience of South Africa's travel and knowledge, those who think seriously about travel and of course, those who like to learn new things. The value of the meeting was supplemented by the opportunity to ask any question to Pavel Selishchev, as a person who knows a lot about this region.

South Africa is known to have three capitals: Bloemfontein (judicial), Pretoria (administrative) and Cape Town (legislative). Accordingly, the narrative of the country was structured: groups of photographs united the names of the capitals.

The change of photo slides on the screen was accompanied by an extended commentary of images, as well as additions from the history of the country and the today's situation. The stories and photographs about the desert blooming five days a year, about beautiful roads and mainly car traffic were surprising. About life behind barbed wire due to high crime rates and about unique jazz clubs, with amazing music, but not safe. About visiting safari parks and meeting wild animals. For example, about how the greatness of an elephant is realized when it stands right in front of your car. About the neighborhood with different national communities in South Africa. This is a unique sub-ethnic group of descendants of Dutch immigrants called Boers, close-knit, sympathetic and Germans that even in South Africa, hold their favorite Festival "Oktoberfest".

Photo by Pavel SELISHCHEV

Not all photos were shown and not all stories were told. Therefore, they agreed to organize at least one more meeting to continue this journey.

Especially for the topic of the lecture, the library prepared a stand with a selection of research and fiction about South Africa and Africa, where pieces of African literature are also presented, such as fairy tales, poetry and prose.

Maria KARPOVA