The hum of bees, the ringing of bells, and Belarusian Baroque: the UIIP team spent the weekend in the Mogilev region.
28.09.2026
Weekends are not merely a time for rest; they offer a chance to change one’s surroundings, recharge, and engage in team-building. With this in mind, the leadership of the UIIP NAS of Belarus trade union organized an excursion to the Mogilev region for the institute's staff.
Saturday morning began with business-like precision. At 8:00 a.m.—sharp, just as the itinerary required—the group set off. Discipline remains discipline, even while traveling, especially when a packed schedule lies ahead.
The first stop on the route was Zhilichi. Here, the travelers enjoyed a double treat: they admired the beauty of the majestic Bulgak Palace and attended the "Verasnyouski Fest," a grand and unique celebration.
Next, the tour bus traveled to the "Bee Kingdom" (*Pchelinoye Tsarstvo*) agritourism estate. The pace of the trip shifted dramatically here. While history and grandeur defined the visit to Zhilichi, the "Bee Kingdom" offered a different experience: a welcome accompanied by accordion music and the scent of wildflowers, tastings of *Trutnyovka* (drone brood tincture) and traditional Belarusian delicacies, and the steady, soothing hum of bees in the apiary cabins. The hosts generously shared their beekeeping secrets, treated everyone to the freshest honey, and even conducted a cow-milking workshop.
The evening brought a visit to one of Belarus’s true wonders: the Blue Spring (*Golubaya Krinitsa*), the country’s largest spring, famous for its water’s unique turquoise hue. At this sacred spring—renowned for its healing properties—everyone had the chance to make a wish and learn the story behind its crystal-clear waters. Upon arriving in Mogilev, the team—tired but brimming with impressions—checked into their hotel to catch their breath before the second day. Sunday morning began without alarm clocks, yet right on schedule; after breakfast, the bus set off once more.
Mogilev welcomed the travelers with golden domes and a stately beauty. The tour included visits to iconic religious sites and places of remembrance: a majestic Orthodox monastery and the legendary Buinichi Field.
Next, the journey led east to the region’s oldest city, Mstislavl. Known as the "Jerusalem on the Sozh," the city has preserved its unique layout and an atmosphere of antiquity. Its narrow streets, the Jesuit church, and the panoramic views from Castle Hill transport visitors back several centuries.
The trip concluded with a visit to Pustynki. The Holy Dormition Monastery in the village of Pustynki is a place with a special, spiritually charged atmosphere. Legend has it that this is where Prince Simeon regained his sight and the miraculous, unpainted image of Christ appeared on a stone. A quiet stroll through the monastery grounds, amidst vibrant autumn scenery, provided the perfect end to an emotionally rich weekend.
The return journey took some time, and the travelers arrived back around 10:00 PM—tired, happy, and deeply impressed.
Yet by 9:00 AM on Monday, everyone was back at work as if nothing had happened. One hopes that after a weekend filled with history, nature, and genuine human connection, the new work week will feel not like a routine, but like an opportunity to tackle familiar tasks with renewed energy.
More photos in the gallery.
Saturday morning began with business-like precision. At 8:00 a.m.—sharp, just as the itinerary required—the group set off. Discipline remains discipline, even while traveling, especially when a packed schedule lies ahead.
The first stop on the route was Zhilichi. Here, the travelers enjoyed a double treat: they admired the beauty of the majestic Bulgak Palace and attended the "Verasnyouski Fest," a grand and unique celebration.
Next, the tour bus traveled to the "Bee Kingdom" (*Pchelinoye Tsarstvo*) agritourism estate. The pace of the trip shifted dramatically here. While history and grandeur defined the visit to Zhilichi, the "Bee Kingdom" offered a different experience: a welcome accompanied by accordion music and the scent of wildflowers, tastings of *Trutnyovka* (drone brood tincture) and traditional Belarusian delicacies, and the steady, soothing hum of bees in the apiary cabins. The hosts generously shared their beekeeping secrets, treated everyone to the freshest honey, and even conducted a cow-milking workshop.
The evening brought a visit to one of Belarus’s true wonders: the Blue Spring (*Golubaya Krinitsa*), the country’s largest spring, famous for its water’s unique turquoise hue. At this sacred spring—renowned for its healing properties—everyone had the chance to make a wish and learn the story behind its crystal-clear waters. Upon arriving in Mogilev, the team—tired but brimming with impressions—checked into their hotel to catch their breath before the second day. Sunday morning began without alarm clocks, yet right on schedule; after breakfast, the bus set off once more.
Mogilev welcomed the travelers with golden domes and a stately beauty. The tour included visits to iconic religious sites and places of remembrance: a majestic Orthodox monastery and the legendary Buinichi Field.
Next, the journey led east to the region’s oldest city, Mstislavl. Known as the "Jerusalem on the Sozh," the city has preserved its unique layout and an atmosphere of antiquity. Its narrow streets, the Jesuit church, and the panoramic views from Castle Hill transport visitors back several centuries.
The trip concluded with a visit to Pustynki. The Holy Dormition Monastery in the village of Pustynki is a place with a special, spiritually charged atmosphere. Legend has it that this is where Prince Simeon regained his sight and the miraculous, unpainted image of Christ appeared on a stone. A quiet stroll through the monastery grounds, amidst vibrant autumn scenery, provided the perfect end to an emotionally rich weekend.
The return journey took some time, and the travelers arrived back around 10:00 PM—tired, happy, and deeply impressed.
Yet by 9:00 AM on Monday, everyone was back at work as if nothing had happened. One hopes that after a weekend filled with history, nature, and genuine human connection, the new work week will feel not like a routine, but like an opportunity to tackle familiar tasks with renewed energy.
More photos in the gallery.