Performing for the minister of education

Now I know what yesterday’s rehearsals were all about. A college expo opened today, with much fanfare. All or most of the Belarusian institutions of higher education set up booths
and exhibits at BelExpo, and I was part of the team representing the Minsk State Linguistic University.

The expo center boiled with activity as teams from various universities poured in. Cadets from a military college marched down the main aisle with their swords unsheathed, kids from the railroad school milled about in their super-cute uniforms, a dance crew strutted in wearing sequin-lame jumpsuits, and lots of people swarmed about wearing traditional Belarusian outfits. I was a member of this latter group, since traditional American clothes aren’t terribly interesting.

Presently, the minister of education came in like a kindly general inspecting his troops. He took his time with us, taking special note of the fact that even Americans come to MSLU. He also kidded me at the end of the presentation, for the fact that I had crib notes in my hand because I hadn’t memorized the song we sang to him. Finally, we presented him still-warm piroshky made in the University’s kitchen. He broke one open with great ceremony, showed everybody the abundant filling, and ate it with obvious pleasure.

We also ate piroshky with pleasure, as soon as he left. Our team had ordered a hundred of these little darlings, in three flavors. I was happy to try all three flavors, and agree with the general consensus that the mushroom variety was the best. Alla was disappointed that I didn’t have a bag with me so I could sneak one home to her, but with any luck I will figure out how to order a batch of these things from the stolovaya. They’d make great party food if I can get them.