The grand Forum of Patriotic Forces, dedicated to the Day of National Unity and organized by the Headquarters of Patriotic Forces, was held at the capital's Palace of Sports. Delegations from all regions of the country arrived, including 150 people from Vitebsk region, led by the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vyacheslav Durnov: representatives of government bodies, political parties, public organizations, enterprises from various fields of activity, and youth.

The dialogue was about the heroic history of our country, its difficult periods, the courage, resilience, and wisdom of the Belarusian people, national traditions, and genetic code – everything that forms the basis of unity. Simple and honest talk about complex matters.

Prominent politicians, opinion leaders, and public figures acted as speakers. Mikhail Rusy, Honored Worker of Agriculture of the Republic of Belarus, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Legislation and State Building, recalled the symbolic significance of holding the holiday in the Minsk Palace of Sports. It was the delegates of the first All-Belarusian People's Congress in October 1996 who, "with bated breath and a sense of deepest hope and confidence," listened to the Head of State's keynote address. It was here that they unanimously supported the new format of the presidency, where the President of the country is the head of state, the guarantor of the Constitution and human rights.

As Mikhail Rusy admitted, he was born and raised in a village and dedicated his life to the land and the development of the agro-industrial complex.

An Honest Conversation

Tatiana Yakubovich, Chairperson of the Belarusian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers, called for reflecting on the history of families and the country. She emphasized that thanks to unity, the Belarusian people have overcome all difficulties and challenges, and today we have a strong, prosperous country where everyone works conscientiously for results.

Unity is not born on its own but is built on trust, honest dialogue, and mutual understanding, noted Olga Chemodanova, Chairperson of the Belarusian Party "Belaya Rus". According to her, in a dynamically changing world, "when there are many challenges and threats around, it is time to unite not by coercion, but by choice." This is the key to the peace of children, stability, and the development of all spheres of activity: economy, education, science, and culture.

The hall also greeted with enthusiasm Alexandra Nikiforova, a mother of five children, a member of the Belarusian Union of Women, and the organizer of the "Beauty of Belarus" competition. She recalled that it was women-mothers who had always been the keepers of history, culture, language, and glorious traditions. In difficult times, "through a mother's song at the cradle of a baby, what makes us Belarusians was passed down."

Alexandra Nikiforova summarized: the stronger the family, the greater the woman's confidence in the future, the more stable our statehood.

Much was said about how to explain to children the meaning of the holiday we celebrate on September 17, its direct connection with the country's achievements, what underlies Belarusian unity, and the importance of harmony and peace.

Among the speakers were also Alexander Lukyanov, First Secretary of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union; Igor Tur, political commentator and journalist of the presidential pool; Vadim Gigin, Chairman of the Board of the Republican State-Public Association "Belarusian Society 'Knowledge'"; Oleg Gaidukevich, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus and Deputy of the House of Representatives, and others.

A Resounding Chord

The baton of performances from speakers was taken over by famous Belarusian artists. Different ensembles succeeded each other on stage, performing folk songs and modern compositions. Melodious gifts to the audience were "presented" by Victoria Aleshko, the vocal-instrumental ensemble "Syabry", Yulia Bykova and Anna Blagova with their sons, and others.

The original performance of the anthem became a bright finale of the forum. The voices of the audience and artists sounded in unison.

vitebsk-region.gov.by