Ihnat Bujnicki

Ihnat Bujnicki (also known as Ignat Buynitsky, ; 22 August 1861 – 22 September 1917) was an actor and theatre director, described as “the father of the Belarusian theatre”. He was also actively involved in various charitable and microfinance initiatives.

Early years Bujnicki was born into the family of minor nobility on the estate of Palivačy (today in Hlybokaje district of Viciebsk region in Belarus). Upon graduation from the Riga Polytechnic School, he became a land surveyor.

In 1913 he organised a credit society where Belarusian farmers could get a loan at a small interest rate. A museum dedicated to Bujnicki has been operating at a local school since 1982.