Away from ‘European values’

Why immigrants from Germany choose to settle in the Belarusian countryside

Eight houses in four villages of the Bocheikovo rural council in Beshenkovichi District have been purchased by German citizens in less than two years. Several German families have taken root in Gorodok District. In total, according to official data from the Citizenship and Migration Office of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Vitebsk Region has become a second home for 14 German nationals. Those who have received real estate and are preparing to relocate are not yet registered — therefore, the number of newcomers will increase over time. What are Europeans looking for in Belarus and why have abandoned country houses in small settlements become an attractive acquisition for them?

Aurilio Lettrari from Germany is a new resident in the village of Kleshchino, Belarus             Anton Stepanishchev

‘First robins’

“First of all, our European newcomers admire the beauty of Belarusian nature, ecology, peace and tranquility. They are outraged by high prices in Germany, especially electricity bills, talk about artificially imposed ‘European values’ that are alien to normal people. They ask us not to take offense at the entire German people because of their government. After all, most Germans do not support the current policy in the country,” revealed Galina Shchuko, Chairperson of the Bocheikovo Village Executive Committee.
...Together with the chairperson, we headed to the village of Zaruchevye, where the young Lettrari family had settled. It was around ten kilometres from Bocheikovo village along a narrow winding road of occasional gravel and old asphalt. There were a lot of houses left by their owners — these regions cannot be called popular. Meanwhile, a married couple, Nino and Chiki, moved to a village on the banks of the Ulla River two years ago, where only seven pensioners reside. 
“They are not at home now,” the local government head informed. “They have gone to Chiki’s homeland in Japan for the summer, together with their sons. Nino’s father, Aurilio Lettrari, is taking care of the property. He is an active person and enjoys cycling all over the area.” Alas, we did not manage to get him at home but we noticed that the vegetable beds were weeded, dog Luppy was fed. There were locks on the doors of both houses, which the young people bought for three thousand dollars. The Europeans that settled in Zaruchevye became the ‘first robins’ for the village council. “They are romantics, travellers, creative people... They have bought two houses, living in one house while planning to set up a farmstead in the other. They have already obtained the permission. Their son Nobu has completed his first year of school. The school bus picks him up and brings him back after classes. The boy is already fluent in Russian, so he is the main translator in the family. Moku was born in Belarus last summer. We do not have any questions for the family: they are diligent, attend all school activities, the children are looked after,” Galina Shchuko shared the details.
Interestingly, the German grandfather of the kids came to visit the newly minted ‘Belarusians’ last winter and... also decided to stay here.  
However, elder Lettrari picked for himself a country house in the village of Kleshchino, where three of his compatriots already owned property at that time.  

Help in every way 

Kleshchino is a fairly lively village with almost four dozen inhabitants, which is also located on the banks of the Ulla River. The village government head joked that now the Lettrari family can visit each other by water. For now, though, a minibus and a bicycle are more convenient for them.
We saw an old house with a high porch, a sagging veranda, lilac bushes, and a huge spreading ash tree under the window… The house had been empty for twenty years. “Our German is not at home now,” local resident Tatiana Papko, whose grandmother once lived in that country house, reported. “Together with Ludwig and Natalya Klimovich, they went to the Beshenkovichi market to buy building materials.”
It turned out that Ludwig Frank Willy was another newcomer, who also bought a house in the Belarusian village and arrived there to do it up a little. Neighbour Natalya, a social worker who helped ten elderly citizens in the district, was a volunteer assistant and consultant to German immigrants. “We have four of them now,” village elder Sergei Shchuko joined the conversation. “Here is Alexander’s house — he came here from Germany about four years ago and then brought his relative Bach (we call him like that). Do you see a beautiful house and a bathhouse at the beginning of the village? This is his property. He has put everything in order, installed video surveillance. He works at the factory manufacturing Audi cars. He has promised to move in our village permanently after retirement. As for Alexander, they say he is a professor, he teaches. He came here with his wife and daughters. They are nice people, hardworking, respectful, smiling — no matter how many times a day you meet them on the street, they greet you every time.” 
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of a white crossover with German number plates rushing down a village street. As two charismatic men got out of the vehicle, they let their companion go ahead and thanked her for help. “They are still not so good at Russian,” Natalya remarked with a smile. “We mostly communicate with the help of an online translator, but they are making progress in learning the language. Moreover, we have known each other for a long time.” 
The villager shared how she helped the ‘pioneer’ Alexander to buy a house and then looked after Ludwig as a favour. “Alexander has relatives living in Moscow. He took Ludwig Frank with him on a trip from Germany, but he was not allowed to cross the border into Russia… As a result, the neighbour brought his friend to Kleshchino and asked to take care of him while he was away. I can definitely spare a bowl of soup for a dear guest!” 

German Ludwig Frank Willy enjoys his life in a Belarusian village                   Anton Stepanishchev

Serious intentions

Ludwig did not waste time during his visit and also found a house for himself. Now he is happy — in his yard he has his own well sweep with clean water, a spacious vegetable garden and even the firewood left over from the previous owners. It is no big deal that the house requires extensive renovation and Ludwig has to stay at Alexander’s estate.
“The main thing is that the places here are very beautiful, the people are hospitable, it is very pleasant,” Ludwig Frank Willy and Aurilio Lettrari assured with one voice.
The conversation took place in the apple orchard. The Germans carefully inspected the trees noting the impact of spring frosts on the trees, and planned to protect the harvest next year. “Belarus has very tasty and environmentally friendly products,” pointed out Aurilio. “My family loves them. When I have renovated the house, I will definitely find a local wife. I hope she will teach me to cook pancakes and borscht.” 
According to Ludwig, the Belarusian way of life is closer to them than the German one,

“I met Aurilio here, in Kleshchino. It turned out that we have a lot in common — we both come from the German Democratic Republic [East Germany]. This is very important. We have different views and values from birth, not the ones that are popular in Germany today, where everything is aimed at destroying the spirit of Schiller. This country is becoming alien. We do not want our children and grandchildren to choose their gender and live in families with a ‘parent number one’ and ‘parent number two’.”

Both newcomers are former officers — they know a lot about discipline and even saluted having heard which publication was taking an interview. That was a sign of respect for the leadership of Belarus. With a construction background and good work experience in the industry, the Germans approach the renovation of old houses professionally. They have ordered the delivery of lumber and a range of working tools from the district market as their own tools were not allowed at the border. They are facing some challenges with card payments on the territory of Belarus, with cash receipt being strictly limited due to restrictions set by German banks.
... Picking up an axe, Ludwig optimistically reflected on the situation, “No big deal. The embargo time will come to an end — common sense will surely prevail! — and we will bring here our families, invest in a water supply system, arrange a road. This will be our contribution to the improvement of the village, where we were so hospitably and cordially received. At least now we know that there is a place on earth where you can live in peace and grow old in spiritual comfort.” 
A swift axe swipe — and a large birch log easily splits in half. There is no doubt about the seriousness of foreigners’ intentions to link their fate with the Belarusian land.

By Yelena Begunova