We are faithful to memory. The civil‑patriotic action took place at Victory Square in Vitebsk.
Participants of the student olympiad of the Union State, the jury, delegation leaders, and organizers laid flowers at the Eternal Flame at the Memorial Complex in honor of the Soviet soldiers-liberators, partisans, and underground fighters of Vitebsk region.
The guys noted that they will always honor the feat of the generation of Victors. The memory of the fallen heroes was honored with a minute of silence.
The second day of the program promises to be eventful. Today, the solemn opening ceremony of the olympiad "Russia and Belarus: historical and spiritual community" will take place. Then high school students will continue their preparation for the rounds.
Chairman of the jury Vasily Rusetsky:
– This is a key event: by tradition, the olympiads of the Union State always begin in such iconic places of the cities where they are held. In different years, these have included Smolensk, Moscow, Gomel, and Polotsk. For the first time, the olympiad is taking place in Vitebsk. We are indeed in a significant place not only for the residents of Vitebsk but for all Belarusians – Victory Square. I think it is very important for the younger generation to receive those supports and bonds that will shape their lives in the future, regardless of what they will do next.
Alina Maslova, co-chair of the olympiad, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor at the National Research Mordovian State University named after N. Ogarev:
– It is very important that the olympiads of Russian literature begin with such a significant patriotic event – a civic-patriotic action at Victory Square, which contributes to spiritual unity, patriotic education of youth, formation of civic position, and strengthening of spiritual, friendly ties between the two closely related Belarusian and Russian peoples. And I am grateful that such a tradition is honored, and the youth sees how valuable this is for different generations.
Students who have already shown the best results at regional olympiads, and, regarding Russia, at the All-Russian Olympiad for schoolchildren, have come to Vitebsk. The student olympiad of the Union State is interesting and unconventional. Here, there is an opportunity to express oneself both creatively, orally, and in writing. I think it is very important for Russian students to get acquainted with a new culture. It is important for Belarusians to see different regions of Russia. Therefore, this is a true intellectual holiday of Russian literature. Of course, victories are important, but friendship is also important. Intellectual communication, gaining new knowledge at the wonderful master classes organized by the hosts of the olympiad is important. All of this together shapes the worldview of children and gives them the motivation to grow spiritually.
This is my first time in Vitebsk, but I have been to Belarus, for example, in Minsk. And in a short period of time, I managed to see the center. Belarus is very close to me; I have relatives in Minsk, so this is a special country for me, and I have a particularly warm attitude towards the Belarusian people.
For the first time in Belarus, thanks to the olympiad, Kira Pakhomova was able to visit. The girl was among those representing the Kursk region.
– For me, this is not just an olympiad, but a great journey. After all, coming to another country is very interesting and educational. I would like to get to know the guys from Belarus better (I am sure we will have such an opportunity) to establish contact and continue communication after the olympiad.
Yesterday, during the excursion, we walked around the center of Vitebsk. I can say that it is a very beautiful city, especially its center. Interesting landscapes! I especially liked the Kirov Bridge and the views that open from it.
Marina Sharoyko, accompanying and coach of the team from Krasnodar Krai:
– In recent years, we have had many events in Russian schools on military-patriotic themes, discussions on important topics, and others. We understand the relevance of the topic of history, which is currently being distorted in various ways, thanks to the possibilities of the internet. We need to lay our foundation of memory. The olympiad is very important in this political context.
This is our first time in Vitebsk. The beauty of the city, its cleanliness, and very friendly people are impressive. This is the impression from everyone we managed to meet: an open soul, a smile, and warmth.