Ilya Shynkarenka: I just came and told my parents that I now speak Belarusian

— By the way, what's correct: "chai" (tea) or "harbata" (herbal tea)?

— Both are fine — depending on the context. "Harbata" is more of an herbal collection, something medicinal, for example. And "chai" is tea itself. From tea leaves. The hypothetical "Princess Nuri". Or, for example, on hibiscus tea (karkade) you might have noticed "Herbal tea" written. This all comes from the word "herb".

— Ah, I see! So, Herbalife and our "harbata" also have a direct connection.

— Well, sort of...

Павялічыць

This is roughly how you can understand what Ilya usually does, even if you've never watched his videos.

One day, the guy decided to switch to Belarusian and start a blog in it. Despite the fact that his entire environment, including his parents, is Russian-speaking. This blog now has over 120 thousand subscribers, and Ilya himself has become one of the main enlighteners and promoters of his native language on the internet. Now young people are already writing him thanks for helping them make the decision to completely switch to Belarusian.

— By the way, how often do people write with such thanks?

— Regularly. It's always very pleasant. This is the most important confirmation that I'm doing everything right.

Павялічыць

— You once had a viral video where you paid a guy on the street to call his mom and tell her he was switching to Belarusian. How did your own Belarusian-language "coming out" to your parents go?

— Well, they knew that since 10th grade I've been interested in Belarusian culture, reading relevant literature, so everything was logical. Especially when the blog really took off and I became the main Belarusian-speaking TikToker — it would be a bit embarrassing not to fully switch to Belarusian then.

— How do you live with this title "main Belarusian-speaking TikToker"? Does it not weigh on you or pressure you?

— Oh, it's fine, thanks, no complaints. (Laughs.)

Павялічыць

— What was the most difficult thing for you when you switched to Belarusian? For me, when I haven't practiced for a long time, words first come to my mind in English, and then I translate them into Belarusian. To be honest, I'm even a little ashamed of that...

— Oh, I have an acquaintance from a foreign language university with the same problem. Funny. In general, to speak Belarusian, you just need to speak. I also made mistakes at first, but no one will hit you if you say a word incorrectly. Literature also helped me start speaking more freely and build up my vocabulary. Just start: let it be two words and three pauses, let it be "trasianka" (a mix of Belarusian and Russian) — it will get better quickly, just keep going.

— Some people would like to, but still don't switch to Belarusian because they're afraid their friends and colleagues will find it harder to communicate with them. Did your circle of friends and acquaintances not narrow after your switch?

— No, quite the opposite: some of my friends now speak Belarusian better than some teachers. That is, on the contrary, they begin to develop thanks to me. Although I don't insist on anything: you can speak Russian with me calmly. But it's nice that when they meet me on the street, they come up and try to speak Belarusian. In general, if you start speaking Belarusian and your friends turn away from you, it means they weren't much of friends anyway.

How We Came Up With an Epic BELAZ and "Belakola" Ad

Павялічыць

Ilya came to the interview wearing new smart glasses with a built-in camera, so now even our dialogue will become content for him. The blogger was late for the meeting, but it's forgivable, considering that Native Language Day is just around the corner: everyone wants Ilya now. He says that today he was filming and by Saturday he will have filmed at least three more commercials. Brands are delighted with the guy, especially when any national holiday approaches.

— It feels like you're Santa Claus in a way these days, with a lot of work piling up.

— For Native Language Day? Well yes, there are many invitations and orders. Various museums write, brands.

— Which collaboration stood out the most?

— When I gave a concert at Mak.by. It was interesting! So many people came.

Павялічыць

— Do you have any dream Belarusian collaboration? To record a new Belarusian-language jingle for Modum or shoot an ad for "Belakola"? Imagine: you're singing, and there are red MAZs...

— Yes! But BELAZ trucks then! BELAZ trucks carrying "Belakola", I'm singing "The holiday is coming to us", bison are running around, a stork is flying in the distance and drops a bottle of "Belakola" instead of a baby — yes, there's something to that. By the way, they have great SMM specialists, they can organize even more than that.

His school hobby now provides Ilya quite well. The basis of his income is advertising from his blog, online courses for preparing for the Centralized Exam (CE) that Ilya organizes, and streaming service payouts for his music. Of course, also Belarusian-language music. It's interesting how he manages all of this.

Павялічыць

— What does your typical day look like in general?

— I spend one day preparing videos — usually I shoot about ten videos at once. Then throughout the week I calmly sit and edit. If I have courses, I also give an online lecture to the children. Sometimes I write lyrics for songs in the evening. In short, we're moving along gradually.

— How do you find Generation Alpha? It seems you are currently teaching them Belarusian. The internet is again shouting that "Alphas" are the most lost generation.

— Yes, they shout that about every generation. They're normal, cool guys and girls — leave them alone. Many of them are genuinely interested in Belarusian culture themselves.

Павялічыць

— Which Belarusian writers do you definitely recommend to your students to enrich their personal vocabulary? Who is the coolest from a linguistic point of view?

— First and foremost, Baradulin. Besides being a brilliant poet, he also created a dictionary of his small homeland — "Ushatski Slovazbor" (Ushachy Word Collection). This is essentially a dictionary of stable expressions from his small village in the Vitebsk region — a very interesting work. Also Karatkevich — the main romantic of Belarusian literature. Yes, he's mainstream, but he's worth it. Kupala and Kolas are beyond discussion, of course — what's there to say again... Yes, and Bahdanovich. A great poet after all. Just his "Veranika" alone is worth it... When he planted a tree, wrote the name of his beloved on it and says (Ilya suddenly begins to read Bahdanovich's poem with expression. — Note by Onlíner):

The more days, nights pass,

The higher the beloved name...

Павялічыць

— Do you often sweep girls off their feet like that, unexpectedly quoting Belarusian poetry? It feels like you've got a knack for it and this isn't the first time you've pulled a trick like that.

— Ha! Well, sometimes. And what, did it look too professional?

"I don't like many modern Belarusian-language musicians"

Now let's talk about music. Ilya started releasing songs relatively recently, but immediately successfully. His first track "On Niamiha" became a local hit — you've probably even heard it (maybe even somewhere on Niamiha). The guy has many concerts behind him, including at large venues like "Reactor". And in general, when the conversation turns to music, Ilya lights up the most. Understandably: he's been involved in music since childhood. So let's find out what it's like to go from the "Merry Notes" ensemble to a solo "Reactor".

— Let's start with this: name the last Belarusian-language track you genuinely liked. But not your own!

Ilya thinks. Thinks for a long time. Then he says:

— If I say "Budz Zdarou Haspadar" (Be Healthy, Master) by the "Biaseda" ensemble — will that be okay? No jokes. If you turn it on, it grooves harder than 90% of modern Belarusian-language music. It has a great bass line and a straight beat — well, yes, it's primitive, but what a catchy tune. Or "Charka Na Pasashok" (A Shot for the Road) — well, that's our parents' rap. And you could make a cool dubstep out of it.

Ilya plays both songs from his phone. No, really — it grooves...

— So, in your opinion, are modern musicians completely problematic?

— I don't want to offend anyone, and I might still come across as somewhat self-absorbed, but I don't like many modern Belarusian-language musicians. For some, it doesn't matter what's written, it doesn't matter for whom — as long as it's in Belarusian. And the fact that it might not be a text but nonsense — who cares about that? But I'll be happy if someone new and cool appears. We're not competitors in that regard. On the contrary, we should support what's good.

Павялічыць

— Do you think international success for a Belarusian-language song is even possible?

— Oh, I don't know. Well, "Pesniary" once toured America and were friends with John Lennon. By the way, Police In Paris has a good remix of "Kasiu Yas Kaniushynu" (Yas Mowed the Clover). To make a track that's almost 50 years old interesting again for young people — that's also cool and talented.

— Does music bring you money now?

— Streamings bring in about 400 dollars per quarter — that's more of a nice bonus. But concerts at venues and in museums bring in more, of course. And performing — that's a separate pleasure.

— Do you write your songs for a long time?

— Sometimes. I wrote "Matylok" (Butterfly) for about half a year, for example. I like it when a beautiful storytelling unfolds. There I have a song about a caterpillar who never became a butterfly and realizes that it won't happen anymore because he's old. As a result, the caterpillar concludes that his life was lived in vain.

— How much is that about you? Are you afraid to realize that you've grown old but haven't realized yourself?

— I think so, for my ego, not to realize myself would be bad.

Павялічыць

— You're only 22, you're still young — where do such thoughts come from?

— What do you mean — I already have expression lines appearing!

It's easy and pleasant to talk with Ilya. There's a feeling that he won't disappear in a year or two, because he's genuine and sincere. Before shaking hands, I ask a final "dramatic-sentimental" question. And almost immediately repeat it for an encore, so Ilya has time to record the answer on his smart glasses.

Павялічыць

— Imagine we meet for the same interview before Native Language Day five years from now. How do you see yourself?

— I would like to become a person who hasn't changed their ideals, who has, to one degree or another, been able to realize themselves and not lose their humanity.

— And a Grammy for a Belarusian-language song.

— Haha! And an Oscar for this vlog episode!

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