Consumer patriotism has become a trend in Belarus.

"Belarusian manufacturers have been raising the level of their products year after year": correspondents from "SB" walked along the retail counters with Elena Pasyuta, chairperson of the Grodno Regional Council Deputies.

Consumer patriotism has become a trend in Belarus, underscoring confidence in the quality of produced goods. There is plenty to choose from in stores, and the sign "Made in Belarus" brings pride. Numerous tourists on weekends scour the aisles of Grodno shopping centers for the most popular product items: textiles, crystal, knitwear, marshmallow, chocolate and other food products. Local residents have long stopped chasing foreign brands, giving preference to domestic ones that are transparent, understandable and always heard. Chairperson Elena Pasyuta agrees that Belarusian products are superior to all praise.

Coat – fits well, handbag – in tone

Despite a demanding work schedule, Elena Vasilievna found time to visit the Central Universal Store located on Grodno's main pedestrian street. Here one can truly find almost anything: from souvenir magnets to a luxurious cashmere coat.

"I've wanted to do some shopping for a long time, but at some point it didn't work out, so I'm very happy to walk through the floors, look around, and perhaps buy something suitable for autumn. The universal store, as they used to call it, has transformed in recent years, new pavilions appeared, an escalator, an elevator, and even a rooftop café from which comes a breathtaking view of the old city."

Elena Pasyuta draws attention to her image. A strict business style: classic trousers and a jacket, but over a blouse she neatly ties a bright green scarf with patterns, which adds femininity and charm to its owner.

"Everything new is forgotten old," the interlocutor smiles. "Such a color palette was in fashion more than ten years ago, and now green and chocolate colors are back in trend. So I took something from my closet – and became a fashionista again. It's clear that all the products were made in Belarus, otherwise I would doubt they remained practically in their original form."

We go up to the third floor, which is almost entirely dedicated to domestic goods. Upper clothing, dresses and suits, shoes, handbags and hats – eyes pop. Our interlocutor's attention is drawn to rows of coats in various shades and styles.

• Try on the new item, — sellers suggest. — This gorgeous terracotta will suit you.

The coat from a well-known Belarusian brand proved stylish, and its color truly effectively enhanced one's appearance.

— The price is favorable, and I've long desired something like this color, — the deputy replied from her reflection in the mirror. — I'll take it!

A new coat requires a matching bag, so Elena Vasilievna asked for "help from the aisle." There were many beautiful and practical options available. However, the group ultimately chose the fashionable recently-trendy elongated brown suede style with an attractive clasp.

There are favorites

When discussing food products, Belarusians are fortunate to have an abundance of producers, yet practically every day new releases emerge that everyone wants to try. For Elena Vasilievna, taste preferences have long been established, leaders have been identified.

Every day in my grocery basket includes milk, kefir, sour cream, cheese of various types, bread, — she explains, admiring the display of a small shop located near the CIS center. — I am very pleased that products from the Shchuchin dairy industry now bear a new name. She has devoted many years to this region, and it seems the workers of the district have preserved age-old traditions, so these products I select from the shelf with particular affection. But, confessing honestly, I occasionally try new releases from milk manufacturers in other regions as well. As they say, no colleague tastes quite the same, but I am certain each of us has our own favorites.

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

Overall, I rarely use semi-finished products; I prefer to choose fresh meat, turn it into mince, and then create various dishes, — smiles the interlocutor. — On weekends, when we gather around the table with our entire large family, we often cook shashlik and sausages made at our Grodno meat plant. I enjoy preparing drunki with meat, pancakes with macheka, which are greatly liked by my relatives and guests. Belarusian food products have proven themselves over time, but the most important thing is that they are plentiful. Everyone will find something to their taste.

Native things are closer to the body

Summarizing the shopping trip, Elena Pasyuta noted that the phrase "buy Belarusian things" has entered everyday speech among Belarusians themselves to such an extent that many have forgotten that it was never always this way. In the wild 1990s, stores often met customers with empty shelves...

— Tens of thousands of tourists leave Grodno with purchases, and then return again and again. Therefore one can say that our diverse products have already become familiar to residents of neighboring countries. When guests arrive who we interact with actively out of duty, for example from the Russian Federation, they are first and foremost surprised at how high-quality food products, our textile products, and other domestically produced goods are.

Personally, I have never questioned myself what to wear or place on my table and for my loved ones. Only Belarusian!

When speaking of upper clothing, which I usually choose successfully today, those purchases typically happen spontaneously. I don't spend much time wandering through shopping centers or markets, but if suddenly I realize I need something new, I immediately go to our branded Belarusian stores. If talking about business suits, I prefer Grodno or Brest manufacturers who have long established themselves. Loungewear, underwear, and accessories are also produced in Grodno, and are known worldwide — notes the deputy.

A weakness toward beautiful tablecloth and home textiles, especially linen, Elena Vasilievna has nurtured for a long time.

— For every festive occasion there is a specific set prepared, associated with memories — explains the interviewee. — So my old friends and acquaintances always know what to give me, what will please me. Napkins, tablecloths, tableware — all these items create coziness and atmosphere in the house. In this regard, Belarusian manufacturers continue to raise the level of their products year after year, some can be called works of art. Our bed linens are truly excellent, luxurious covers and blankets — linen and cotton. The choice is enormous! As for glass, I always buy Neman crystal — both as part of my own collection and as gifts for foreign friends and partners. They are always delighted by products made using ancient technologies, almost entirely by hand.

Elena Pasyuta told us that she is an active social media user and more and more people are becoming subscribers:

This is a unique opportunity for a deputy to receive feedback and understand whether they are moving in the right direction. Here I will give an example with the project "Bacicawa Kushlya," launched on June 1st. Already approximately 200 chests with linen shirts, decorated with national symbols, sewn by our manufacturers from our raw materials, have been delivered to children in the Grodno region. The topic was very well received, particularly from multi-child families. They comment, smile, blush. And thus love for one's own, native home is being born.

VOICE TO THE ENTERPRISE

Marketing Specialist at JSC "ELEMA" Veronika Myronchuk:

"In the minds of many buyers, our brand's products were associated with classic femininity and strict dress code. However, the modern rhythm of life dictates new rules, and today the company confidently changes stereotypes, proving that classics can be bold, daring, and incredibly stylish. The secret of this transformation lies in the skill of the design center team, which has transferred the DNA of corporate elegance into the language of modern trends. The new audience is rediscovering the brand, which, having transformed, retained its main trump card – uncompromising fit quality and fabrics that buyers have prized for many years. Thus, the enterprise became a unique space where a harmonious dialogue between generations is established."

Deputy Director for Ideological Work and Social Issues JSC "Steklozavod 'Neman'" Valentina Nabogezh:

"On September 19th, our city-building enterprise in Berezovka, where 1200 people work, will celebrate its 143rd anniversary. Annually we develop new products, and artists and our experienced masters work on creating exclusive glass items, each of whom is worth gold. It is important to understand that the enterprise does not operate from the warehouse but focuses on marketing research specialists and a formed order portfolio. There is a desire to surprise customers, and today the assortment line comprises about 5 thousand products."