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A “something” appeared in Kolodishchi. Why did a Belarusian put an Aquarium on his property
A source: Victoria Zavadskaya
06 February 2026
“Artur Pavlov’s everyday life is different from how most of us spend our time. The businessman, husband and father of two sons literally broke the system and came up with his own rules of life. His day starts at 04:30 a.m. and necessarily includes long walks around the surroundings of Kolodishche, family breakfasts lasting an hour and other obligatory rituals for the family. In between, the 51-year-old Belarusian solves everyday problems and manages to turn unique projects into reality. A little over a year ago, we already talked about his and his wife’s brainchild near Lepel — a huge field of lavender, which turned into a business and became a place for pilgrimage for tourists from different parts of Belarus. Another unusual idea of Arthur took shape in March last year, right in the courtyard of his house in Kolodishchi.
“I tell my wife, ‘It’s boring, let’s figure something out!’
The move beyond the ring road took place 18 years ago. Before that, a family of four lived for a long time in a 60-meter apartment in a panel on Plekhanova Street. One day, while sitting at dinner, the couple decided to sell their apartment and move out of town, closer to nature. According to Artur, in those years, a meter in houses behind the MKAD was relatively inexpensive (compared to the capital’s “squares”).
The couple did not choose a new home for long: a ready-made two-story cottage was found in Kolodishchi. They quickly completed the purchase and sale deal and moved to the suburbs. Since then, the family has settled beyond the MKAD and during this time has noticeably stirred up the locals.
— Any idea of mine begins with the words: “Laura, it’s boring! Let’s figure something out,” Arthur laughs.— My wife always supports my initiatives. This is how the art gallery in the Lepelsky district and the lavender field were born. In addition, I often hold various events for locals in Kolodishchi.
Not far from the house, I built a playground for everyone. I do this on my own initiative, just because I want to.
The Aquarium project, which appeared on the site, became a kind of exception and a surprise for loved ones. No one fully understood what came to my mind this time and what kind of “box” appeared on Minskaya Street.
Everything, as usual, started with an idea. In December 2024, at breakfast, the businessman announced to his family that he had come up with a cool project, but did not go into details.
— I clearly saw a picture in my head: it will be a small space with impressive glazing. Oak parquet must be laid on the floor, and there is a wood-burning fireplace in the corner. All this will become a kind of showcase for those who will pass by: that is, every passerby should become an involuntary witness of what is happening inside, behind the glass,” recalls the Belarusian.
“Became a local landmark in a couple of days”
Without delaying the idea, Arthur turned to a manufacturing company that specializes in the manufacture of modular structures. At first they were surprised by the technical specifications, and then they willingly took up the implementation of an unusual project. In fact, the man says, it was a standard module with a ventilated facade and the ability to connect communications.
The 2 × 7 meter box was assembled at the factory in a couple of weeks. It took another day to bring the finished structure to the site and install a huge double-glazed unit in it. Electricity was installed in the house, and a wood-burning fireplace was installed.
— The Aquarium appeared on the site and immediately began to attract people’s attention, — continues Arthur. — The locals stopped, looked at it from all sides, some took pictures… and could not understand what kind of structure it was and why it was there.
By the way, in just a month I met four dozen people, among whom were not only neighbors, but also random passers-by.
One day I caught myself thinking that the Aquarium brings people closer together. Maybe this is one of his tasks?
The Belarusian says that his wife’s paintings were the first to enter the module. The Aquarium has become a new home for art objects, starting to function as a gallery. Anyone could stop and look at the paintings behind the glass. At first, Arthur updated the exhibition every day, early in the morning, but now he does it noticeably less often — once a month.
After a while, I realized that the space near the makeshift gallery also needed to be put in order. The man paved the area, set up a bench and planted lavender bushes. Now anyone can “ground themselves” and stay at the exposition longer. Access to the Aquarium is also well thought out for people with disabilities. The businessman says that they have already come here for an “excursion”.
— I’m not pursuing any goal, for me, life is a game in which I just embody my ideas, — Arthur anticipates a possible question. — I still can’t say for sure what an Aquarium is. It is a multifunctional space. My wife and I can celebrate the New Year here, sit, chat on various topics. If someone wants to join us as they pass by, we can invite them inside. I remember there was a case when a guy decided to sit on a bench, and we were inside the module. There was glass between us, and it was as if the stranger had shared a part of the evening with us.
Yes, this project also exists in order to blur the line between people and make them closer to each other.”
https://realt.onliner.by/2026/02/06/za-steklom
