Consumer patriotism has become a trend in Belarus, emphasizing trust in the quality of domestically produced goods. Stores now offer a wide choice, and the "Made in Belarus" label evokes a sense of pride. Over the weekend, numerous tourists flock to the shelves of Grodno shopping centers for the most popular items: textiles, crystal, knitwear, marshmallows, chocolate, and other food products. The city's residents have long since stopped chasing imported brands, preferring domestic ones that are transparent, understandable, and always on the tip of their tongues. Elena Pasuta, Chair of the Grodno Regional Council of Deputies, agrees that Belarusian products are beyond praise.

Coat to suit, bag to match

Despite a busy work schedule, Elena Vasilievna found time to visit the Central Universal Store, located on the main pedestrian street of Grodno. Here, one can arguably find everything: from souvenir magnets to a luxurious mink coat.

"I've long wanted to go shopping, but it never worked out, so I'm very glad to walk through the floors, look around, and maybe buy something suitable for autumn. The department store, as I call it in the old-fashioned way, has transformed in recent years. New pavilions have appeared, along with an escalator, an elevator, and even a rooftop café with a captivating view of the old town."

Elena Pasuta pays attention to her outfit. It seems like a strict business style: classic trousers and a jacket, but over the blouse, a bright green patterned scarf is beautifully tied, adding femininity and charm to its owner.

"Everything new is well-forgotten old," the interviewee smiles. "The color palette I'm wearing was in fashion over a decade ago, and now green and chocolate are trendy again. So, I took it out of the closet, and I'm fashionable again. It's clear that all these items are made in Belarus, otherwise, I doubt they would have been preserved in practically their original form."

We go up to the third floor, which is almost entirely dedicated to domestic goods. Outerwear, dresses, and suits, shoes, bags, and hats — it's a feast for the eyes. The attention of our interviewee is drawn to rows of coats in a wide variety of colors and styles.

"Try on the new item," the salespeople suggest. "This gorgeous terracotta color will suit you."

The coat from the well-known Belarusian brand fit perfectly, and the color indeed very flatteringly highlighted her appearance.

"The price is pleasant, and I've long dreamed of a color like this," the deputy commented on her reflection in the mirror. "I'll take it!"

A bag needs to be chosen for the new coat, and here Elena Vasilievna asked for "help from the hall." There were many beautiful and convenient options available. But the collective choice fell on a fashionable recently elongated brown suede model with an attractive clasp.

Favorites

When it comes to food products, Belarusians are blessed with an abundance of producers, but practically at all times new innovations emerge that one just wants to try. Elena Vasilievna has long formed taste preferences, leaders have been established.

"Every day my grocery basket must contain milk, kefir, sour cream, cheese of various sorts, bread," she says, looking at the decoration of a small store located nearby from the TsUM. "I am very happy that products by masters of the Shchuchyni milk industry have appeared under a new name. She has dedicated many years of life to this region, and it seems that the laborers of the district have preserved ancient traditions, so these products I take off the shelf with special warmth. But, to admit, periodically I try newcomers from other regions' dairy manufacturers. In terms of taste and color, as friends say, there is no match, but I am sure each of us has our own favorites."

In the meat department nothing is missing: ready-made cutlets, schnitzel, dumplings...

"Overall, I rarely use semi-finished products, I prefer to take fresh meat, make mince from it, and then invent different dishes," the interlocutor smiles. "On weekends, when we gather around the table with our whole large family, we often prepare shashlik and sausages produced at our Grodno meat plant. I love cooking drunki with meat, pancakes with matsunyukha, which are very popular among my relatives and guests. Belarusian food products have passed the test of time, but the main thing is they are abundant. Everyone will find something to their taste."

Homeland Closer to the Body

Summarizing the shopping trip, Elena Pasutova noted that the phrase "buy Belarusian goods" has entered the everyday language of Belarusians themselves, so many even forgot that it wasn't always this way. In the wild 1990s stores often met buyers with empty shelves...

"Thousands of tourists leave Grodno with purchases, and then return again and again. Therefore, one can say that residents of neighboring countries have already gotten used to our diverse goods. When guests arrive, with whom we actively interact out of duty, for example from the Russian Federation, they are primarily surprised by how high-quality food products, our textile products and other domestic-made goods we have."

For me, there has never been a question about what to wear or put on the table for myself and my loved ones. Only Belarusian products.

When speaking of outerwear that I have successfully chosen today, such purchases usually happen spontaneously. I don't spend much time wandering through shopping malls or markets, but if suddenly I realize I need something new, I immediately go to our branded Belarusian stores. When it comes to business suits, I prefer producers from Grodno or Brest who have long established themselves. Items like loungewear, underwear, and formal attire are also manufactured in Grodno, and are known worldwide — notes the deputy.

Elena Vasilievna has long had a weakness for beautiful table linens and home textiles, especially those made from linen.

"For every holiday event, a specific set is prepared," the interviewee explains, "which is associated with memories." So my old friends and acquaintances always know what to give me, what will please me. Napkins, tablecloths, tableware...