We talked about the principles of happy relations with the winners of the contest “Family of the Year” Dmitry and Olga Sviridyuk

According to a recent poll by the Institute of Sociology of the NAS, more than 60 percent of Belarusians consider family to be the main values of life. Close people, a common home, everyday worries, habits and traditions – this makes up the life of most of us. Every family is a small state. Here, too, your way of life, everyone has duties and the right to vote, and well-being depends on the ability to hear each other and support each other in difficult times. This is how the winners of the Republican contest “Family of the Year” Dmitry and Olga Sviridyuk from Kobrinsky district of Brest region, raising Sergei, Polina and Maxim, build their relations.

Getting used to the new schedule After winning the competition, congratulations, meetings, trips and interviews were added to the usual business. After several weeks of living according to the competition schedule, a walk in the park became a rare opportunity for Sviridyuks not to rush anywhere. Three-year-old Maxim manages to collect several leaves and check where the neighboring alley leads. Sixth grader Sergey and fourth grader Polina keep close to their parents, but at the first opportunity they switch to their own business.

It would seem that after the final, you could finally exhale, but there was no more free time, Olga says with a smile:

The contest is over and the movement continues. We're getting used to the new schedule.

A few months about this competition no one thought, although two years ago Sviridyuk already tried their hand in the district online competition. The decision to participate was made almost at the last minute.

- Of course, there were doubts, and then I thought: why not try? – says Olga. I asked Dima, talked to the kids, and it started. First they won at the district stage, then at the regional stage. Preparation required more time and effort, even the repair of the house had to be postponed.

Sviridyuks went to Minsk without confidence in victory - the competition was high. They got acquainted with the programs of other finalists: each family has its own history, traditions, and a strong social project.

Four days of rehearsals and television filming were not easy. In the morning, participants were taken from the hotel, they returned only late at night. Lights, sound, camera locations, stage appearances – each episode was practiced separately. For a few minutes of the finished room there were hours of preparation.

But behind the scenes, families were not so much competing as helping each other, prompting and helping out, Olga says. By the way, everyone communicates now: mothers have created a common group, exchange news, arrange meetings.

Before the final performance Olga tried to set the children in a calm mood:

I told them, ‘First place is one and seven families.’ We have already reached the republican stage, we are among the best – this is a good result.” Pauline agreed with this, and Sergey only wanted to win.

At summing up, the finalists were first awarded diplomas in separate nominations. Sviridyuks received the Golden Hands award. Olga, remembering, smiles: Sergey stood with a diploma and said: “Mom, I want to hold a diploma for the first place, and my hands are busy.” I promised to take him if we were named. And then they announce our last name. We looked at each other for a few seconds: Is that us? And then I realized: I have to go out for a reward! The cup and diploma were passed on to the children. The joy of Sergei and Polina had no limit.

- And my wife and I only felt relieved then, admits Dmitry. - The preparation was long. I wanted to represent the area with dignity and not let down those who helped us. The victory obliges the Sviridyuks to prepare for the competition with a large family circle: they collected props, discussed the performance. On the stage together with Dmitry, Olga and children came great-grandmothers, grandparents and other relatives — only 15 people.

The victory of Sviridyuk is perceived not only as a reward for the work done, but also as a responsibility. Dmitri explains:

- Children remain ordinary children - they can run, play tricks, get a comment. But I tell them that they will be equal now, so you have to conform.

By the way, each of the three Sviridyukov children has their own interests. Sergei is practicing judo. Polina dances, masters the piano, participates in creative and research competitions. Maxim went to kindergarten, but at home tries to keep up with the elders.

Olga works as a livestock breeder in Batchi OJSC, Dmitry is a master in a private construction company. The history of their acquaintance began in the first grade of one of the Kobrin schools. A year later, their roads parted - Olga's family moved. And then, 13 years later, they were invited to be godparents of one child. This is the beginning of a family story that five people are writing.

Dmitry draws our attention to the fact that, despite the employment, and on weekdays everyone has their own schedule, everyone shares household chores:

- We don’t have to do housework with mom or dad. If you need help, no one is left behind. Children know: we need to clean – clean, work in the garden – we go out together. Even Maxim tries to participate in everything.

Also together Sviridyuk celebrate holidays. At weddings, anniversaries and other family celebrations, several generations gather at one table. A special place in this large circle is occupied by grandmothers. They keep old recipes, teach children and grandchildren to bake bread and pies. By Easter, home cakes are necessarily prepared, decorating which is entrusted to the younger ones. Olga says: While our grandmothers are around, I want to borrow as much as possible from them. They are able to bring together children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My grandmother has five children, and on big holidays everyone comes to her. It is the elders who show us how important it is to hold onto each other. We want our children to grow up with this feeling. KSTATI

On Sunday, October 18, watch the TV version of the final of the VII Republican contest "Family of the Year" on the ONT channel at 17:40.