Stefan Schocher (Text) and Felix Adler (Photo)
Komputerismus in Belarus
Belarus wants to become a high-tech country in Eastern Europe.
On the first floor of the Marriott Hotel in the Belarusian capital Minsk, it hums and buzzes. Drones hiss through the corridors, here a robot arm, there an innovative greenhouse, there an even more innovative IT solution. Decoration made of cardboard tubes and a lot of non-binding friendliness, garnished with even more motivational slogans. Nevertheless: This is not a meeting place for gimmicks.
The event is called Global Entrepreneurship Week. The name badge of the trade fair is worn here with pride. They see themselves as the elite. Hipster charm on the one hand and post-Soviet aesthetics on the other are contradictory only at first glance. Because this is where the money is made. Money that the Belarusian state urgently needs. And that is why the Prime Minister of Belarus, Sergei Rumas, also stops by at the fair, struts through the rows of exhibitors, tries out one or the other exhibit, has the exhibitors explain themselves.
Andrei Pliachko stands at one of these stands. He is holding a headset that measures brain waves. By means of relaxation and concentration, this headset can be used to control tablet and smartphone games or a robot spider. A gadget for working with ADHD patients or children with autism. Minister Rumas also tries out a headset like this, nods in agreement and asks questions. Photos are taken. Andrei Pliachko will later proudly share them on social networks.
The event is called Global Entrepreneurship Week. The name badge of the trade fair is worn here with pride. They see themselves as the elite. Hipster charm on the one hand and post-Soviet aesthetics on the other are contradictory only at first glance. Because this is where the money is made. Money that the Belarusian state urgently needs. And that is why the Prime Minister of Belarus, Sergei Rumas, also stops by at the fair, struts through the rows of exhibitors, tries out one or the other exhibit, has the exhibitors explain themselves.
Andrei Pliachko stands at one of these stands. He is holding a headset that measures brain waves. By means of relaxation and concentration, this headset can be used to control tablet and smartphone games or a robot spider. A gadget for working with ADHD patients or children with autism. Minister Rumas also tries out a headset like this, nods in agreement and asks questions. Photos are taken. Andrei Pliachko will later proudly share them on social networks.
This publication could be realized thanks to the support of Renovabis, the Eastern European aid organization.
Read the original article here: https://ostpol.de/beitrag/5344-komputerismus-in-belarus
