Pavel Shpilevsky is a writer, ethnographer, publicist, literary and theater critic, popularizer of Belarusian national cultural heritage.

Не was born on October 31, 1827, in the family of a priest in the village of Shepelevichi, Minsk province. In 1837-1843 he studied at the Minsk theological Seminary in Slutsk. Then in 1843-1847 he studied at the St. Petersburg theological Academy. He graduated from the Academy with the title of candidate of theology, was appointed a teacher of literature in the Warsaw district theological school.

Five years later he moved to St. Petersburg. From December 1853 he worked at the main pedagogical Institute, and from April 1855 — as a teacher at the school during the expedition of preparation of state papers. In 1846, under the pen-name P. Drevlyansky, he published articles on Belarusian mythology in the Journal of the Ministry of national Education.

In 1850 he published a historical work " Description of the Embassy of Leo Sapieha” in Moscow. In 1853 he was published in different magazines : "Moskvityanin," "Pantheon," "Sovremennik". In the same 1853 the monograph "Belarusian Proverbs" was published and  in 1857 — "Archaeological findings" and "Dozhinka”, the Belarusian custom.

The "popularity" of the author's style causes a constant and not decreasing interest in his work not only among professionals, but among amateurs. An important place in the works of Shpilevsky is the description of folk poetry, rites and beliefs.

In Shpilevsky's works the idea is clearly traced that Belarusians, poleshuks and other nationalities investigated by him are the most ancient in the Slavic world. Currently, academic science denied the reliability and scientific facts given in the first work ("Belarusian folk tales") Shpilevsky. Most of the mythical characters described by Shpilevsky are recognized as phantoms that never existed in Slavic folklore, and are the fruit of the author's creativity.

In his honorstreet in Minsk and street in the city of Lyuban  are called.A memorial plaque is installed in the village of Shipilovichi. And to the 175th anniversary of his birth (1998) postal envelope was released.

1. Give English equivalents from the text:

• духовная семинария                    
• культурное наследие                          
• кандидат богословия                            
• подготовка государственных документов
• белорусские обычаи
• среди любителей
• описание народной поэзии, обрядов и убеждений

   2. Answer the questions:

1. When was Pavel Shpilevsky born?

2. What was Pavel Shpilevsky?

3. What did he graduate from?

4. What did Shpilevsky publish in 1850?

5. What streets are called his honor?

6. When was postal envelope release?

3. Say the sentences TRUE or FALSE:

1. Pavel Shpilevsky is a scientist, physician.

2. From December 1847 he worked at the main pedagogical Institute.

3. In his honor street in Minsk and street in the city of Lyuban   are called.

4. In 1850 he published a historical work "Sovremennik" in Moscow.

5. An important place in the works of Shpilevsky is the description of folk poetry, rites and beliefs.

1. Pavel Shpilevsky was..

A)a Russian scientist     B) a Belarusian Writer     C) a Belarusian Poet

         2. Pavel Shpilevsky’s father was ..

A) a farmer           B) a lawyer                 C) a priest

         3. In 1837-1843 he studied at the Minsk theological Seminary in ...

A) Moscow           B) Minsk                 C) Slutsk

         4. Pavel Shpilevsky’s pen-name was ...

A) Luchina           B) P. Drevlyansky C) "A priest"

         5. When did he publish a historical work " Description of the Embassy of Leo Sapieha” in Moscow

A) 1850           B) 1847       C) 1855

         6. An important place in the works of Shpilevsky is the description of …

           A) folk poetry     B) science     C) history

           7. There are some streets named after Pavel Shpilevsky in ...

A) Moscow and Warsaw      B) Moscow and Minsk            C) Minsk and Lyuban

        Pavel Shpilevsky is a writer, ethnographer, publicist, literary and theater critic, popularizer of Belarusian national cultural heritage.

        Не was born in 1827, in the family of a priest in Minsk province.

        He studied at the Minsk theological Seminary in Slutsk.

        He worked at the Main pedagogical Institute in St. Petersburg and then worked as a teacher at the school during the expedition of preparation of state papers.

        In 1853 he was published in different magazines : "Moskvityanin," "Pantheon," "Sovremennik".

        In 1853 the monograph "Belarusian Proverbs" was published.

        In his honor street in Minsk and street in the city of Lyuban   are called. A memorial plaque is installed in the village of Shipilovichi.

        And to the 175th anniversary of his birth (1998) postal envelope was released.