«Outstanding People of Belarus»: In the Year of Belarusian Women, Molodechno archivists have prepared a virtual exhibition about the multifaceted life of poet Taisiya Trofimova

There are people whose talent cannot be confined to a single profession. Poet, journalist, teacher, translator, and actress — Taisiya Ivanovna Trofimova (Yanuchok) — is one of those who knows how to feel words and live by them. Her creative path is a beautiful melody, woven from a love for her native land, theater, and sincere poetry.

Taisiya Ivanovna was born on January 21, 1955, in the village of Mankovo, Slutsk District. She grew up in a remarkably talented family: her younger sister, Zoya Podlipskaya, eventually became a renowned Belarusian poet, editor-in-chief of the magazine «Rodnaye Slova» (Native Words), and director of the Center for Orthodox Local History. But Taisiya herself chose the path of serving words and culture.

The poet’s roots are deeply rooted in the Slutsk region. It was here, in the village of Podliptsy, that she spent five years of her early childhood, leaving a lasting impression.

Taisiya Trofimova’s life and professional development are inextricably linked with three cities, each of which played a crucial role.

Slutsk provided her with her basic education (elementary school in Podliptsy, then eighth grade at the Seryazhskaya School) and her first steps in journalism: in 1970, her first article was published in the regional newspaper «Shlyakh Ilycha». It was here, at Secondary School No.10, that she began her teaching career.

Molodechno became a true breeding ground for her creative talent. After receiving her qualifications as a social educator at the local M.K.Oginsky Music College, Taisiya Ivanovna blossomed as a cultural organizer, directing the literary and musical salon «Uzlet». It was here that she became an actress for several years at the Minsk Regional Drama Theater. Audiences remember her vibrant roles: the Foundling in «Buttercups-Flowers», Galina in «A Bear Walked Through the Forest», and the Frenchwoman Louise in the tragicomedy «Eight Women in Love».

Minsk welcomed her as an accomplished artist. After graduating from the theater department of the Moscow People’s University of Arts and the journalism department of Belarusian State University, Taisiya Ivanovna moved to the capital. She worked as the editor of the journalism department of «Maladost» magazine and as an administrator at the Maxim Bogdanovich Literary Museum.

Taisiya Trofimova writes in Belarusian. She has authored four personal poetry collections: «Smiling to the People», «Greens in a Packet», «Paspeli Vishni», and the autobiographical poem «Veska Pad Lipami». The underlying theme of each work is boundless love for the Motherland and its people.

A special facet of her talent is the astonishing musicality of her poetry. Songs with lyrics by Taisiya Trofimova have been performed at the Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk, the National Festival in Molodechno, and on international stages in Bulgaria, Germany, Turkey, and Ukraine.

The poet has authored seven works of hymn singing! Among them are the anthem of the Molodechno district, «Earthly Bow», anthems for regional and provincial festivals («One Land», «Play, Accordion», «Dulcimer Sounds on the Land of Kupala»), and the anthem of the Molodechno College of Music. Her poems have been enthusiastically performed by children’s studios such as «Buslik», «Pesenka», «Khvilinka», and «Natali», as well as soloists of the Belarusian State Philharmonic. Taisiya Trofimova’s work has long since expanded beyond the borders of Belarus. Her poems have been translated into Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, and French. She actively collaborates with composers, and a CD of children’s songs featuring her poems (composed by E. Atrashkevich), released by the magazine «Rukzachok», became a true gift for young listeners.

Taisiya Trofimova’s achievements have been highly recognized at both the national and professional levels. She is a member of the Union of Journalists (since 1994) and the Union of Writers of Belarus (since 2001). Her awards include the Gold Medal of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee’s Department of Culture (1977) and the Union of Writers of Belarus’s «For Great Contribution to Literature» badge (2014).

Today, Taisiya Trofimova continues to delight readers and listeners with her talent. Her life is a wonderful example of how love for one’s homeland, coupled with hard work and diverse talents, gives birth to a rich and vibrant culture.

Exhibition «Outstanding People of Belarus: Taisiya Ivanovna Trofimova».