New entrance signs installed in Polotsk. All in Russian
This weekend, Polotsk celebrated its 1164th anniversary. For City Day, new entrance signs were installed. According to the authorities' plan, they should become a distinctive business card of Belarus's oldest city, noted BGmedia.
As reported by «Polotsky Vestnik» (Polotsk Herald), new structures appeared at key entrances to the city. They were made in a single style, and each design element, it is claimed, symbolizes the connection of generations, the continuity of traditions, and the rich history of Polotsk.
The project authors believe that the signs should attract the attention of tourists and emphasize the city's uniqueness.
However, after the appearance of the new objects, some residents of Polotsk drew attention not to the design, but to the linguistic presentation. The entrance signs are made in Russian — «Полоцк» (Polotsk). This raised questions among some residents, who believe that for the country's oldest city, it would be more logical to use the Belarusian variant of the name:
- «Is the Belarusian language no longer in trend, as it used to be?»
- «They could have used Belarusian, or have they already forgotten?»
In addition, city residents also drew attention to a new inscription: «З Полацку пачаўся свет» (The world began from Polotsk). The first letter «З» (Z) was missing from the structure.