Marat and World. (February 18, 1998)

Being first a vice-chairperson, then the chairperson of the Belarusian Fund of Peace, Marat Egorov visited many countries, took part in numerous conferences, congresses, symposiums. On every trip he usually gave a live broadcast talk. At the times reporters would literally bombard him with tricky questions. But every time he parried them successfully. Many times his immediate reaction rescued him: years of fencing proved to be not in vain. It was not by chance that in his time Marat Egorov won the Republic Championship at this kind of sport.

"The outstanding Russian diplomat"--- this is the title he was given by an Irish newspaper. Really, it was high an appreciation for the representative of public diplomacy. During his trips Marat Egorov was meeting the leaders of many countries, political and public figures. Quite often the visits by our delegations with his participation promoted the establishment of diplomatic ralations between the countries. The International Envoy of Peace ---he was given this honorable title by the International Association of Peace, the headquaters of which are in the USA. It's not surprising that while writing his thesis "Belarus in the STruggle for Peace" he made use of his very personal experience.

After the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station he used all his contacts and friendly ties abroad to send hundreds of kids from contaminated areas to render their healthier. And to these areas humanitarian shipments were arriving, with medicine, medical equipment... For these noble intentions of foreign donors not to vanish he makes speeches at the conferences and symposiums again and again, telling people about the consequences of the disaster.

One meeting in Germany with Kurt Prest was imprinted in his mind. He was a soldier as well and also a participant of the World War 2. Only they were as they say on opposite barricades. Today Kurt hosts many Belarusian kids surrounding them with love and care as if to redeem the long standing fault. Thanks to the Belarusian Fund of Peace hundreds of kids from contaminated areas as well as liquidators' children have stayed for renderring more health in different countries.

...During our talk with Egorov a fax maasge from Greate Britain came. He was invited to participate in the charitable organizations conference which helps to get over the consequences of Chernobyl.

And in the several previous massages foreign partners informed about their intention to deliver a shipment of humanitarian aid to hospitals, boarding schools.

Marat Fedorovich is the author of many TV programmesa, newspaper and magazine articles. The destiny of his play "Who the Chernobyl Bells are ringing on" is very interesting. A theatre school group from Brest staged it in English and performed in several countries. And as a resonsnce to this new invitations for hudreds of children to render their health abroad followed.

In England , in Karnegi Hall 5 thousand people saw the show. And the young actors were invited again to London. On April 26 in St. Pual's Cathedral after the service dedicated to the Chernobyl tragedy they will perform again. The performance will be broadcast in all countries of the world.

Marat Fedorovich doesn't complain of his health in spite of his age. And it's a common thing for him to go upstairs to his 12th on foot.

Nina Maradulina.
Ivan Yudash -- foto.