The regional patriotic marathon “Memory Auto Train” will be held on March 25

March 25, within the framework of the republican campaign "Belarus Remembers," dedicated to the Year of Peace and Creation, the 85th anniversary of the Vitebsk region, and the 80th anniversary of the tragedy of Khatyn and Shunevka, the regional patriotic marathon "Memory Train" will take place.

 More than 300 participants of the regional patriotic marathon "Memory Train" will travel along the route Vitebsk – Khatyn Memorial Complex – Shunevka Memorial Complex – Proryv Memorial Complex – Vitebsk.

Participants of the Marathon will include activists of public associations and organizations.

At 7:30 AM, at the Memorial Complex in honor of Soviet Soldiers-Liberators, Partisans, and Underground Fighters of Vitebsk Region, participants of the Auto-Train will take part in the BRSM patriotic campaign "Memory of the Heart," lay flowers at the Eternal Flame, and set off on their planned route with a festive march accompanied by a military orchestra. Upon arrival at the "Khatyn" Memorial Complex (the second point of the route), the auto-marathon participants will see the streets of the former village, walk past the obelisk-pipes where houses once stood, hear the mournful sounds of bells, and learn about the causes of the tragedy and the horrific events of that day (reconstruction).

For reference: "Khatyn" Memorial Complex is a monument to the victims of fascist terror on Belarusian land, the world's only cemetery of burned villages during World War II. The memorial, occupying an area of about 50 hectares, replicates the layout of the former village of Khatyn.

The program continues with a visit to the "Shunevka" memorial complex in the Dokshytsy district of the Vitebsk region. Thanks to a theatrical dramatic performance by the Dokshytsy City Culture Center, participants will be immersed in the atmosphere of those terrible events.

For reference: This village perished along with its inhabitants on May 22, 1943, during the punitive operation "Cottbus," which is why it is called the "sister of Khatyn." At the cemetery of perished villages in the Khatyn memorial, there are 185 such villages from all over Belarus. Each of them has its own tragic story, but they are united by the fact that they have not been reborn since then, remaining forever in granite and concrete of memorials.

The final destination of the Autotrain will be the "Breakthrough" Memorial Complex. Participants will go on an excursion to the memorial complex, which is equipped with evening light illumination, lay flowers at the "Square of Memory," and also familiarize themselves with the daily life of partisans of the Polotsk-Lepel partisan zone in the "Partisan Village."

For reference: The Polotsk-Lepel partisan zone is one of the largest partisan zones in the Republic of Belarus, which can rightfully be considered

called the Partisan Republic with its capital in the urban-type settlement of Ushachi. In May 1944, the partisans carried out a legendary breakthrough of the "fiery ring" from enemy forces that were many times superior to them, broke out of the encirclement, and evacuated 15,000 civilians. In the summer of 1974, a memorial complex "Breakthrough" was erected at the site of the partisans' blockade breakthrough, which is one of the most significant works of monumental art in Belarus.

It is worth noting that along the route, participants will be provided with travel information, thematic quizzes and contests, and screenings of excerpts from films about the history of the Great Patriotic War.

Anyone can become a participant of the Autotrain. To do this, you need to fill out a special Google form posted in the Telegram channel "Youth of the Vitebsk Region".
According to the information of the Regional Committee of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM).