VITEBSK, 27 June (BelTA) - Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalya Kochanova and Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko visited the Polotsk Cadet School within the framework of the 11th Forum of the Regions of Belarus and Russia, BelTA has learned.
The speakers toured the museum of the Polotsk Cadet School. Natalya Kochanova and Valentina Matviyenko took part in a solemn ceremony to hand over the historical banner of the Polotsk Cadet Corps to Polotsk Cadet School together with a banner restoration certificate from the All-Russian Art Scientific Restoration Center named after Academician I.E. Grabar.
The speakers toured the museum of the Polotsk Cadet School. Natalya Kochanova and Valentina Matviyenko took part in a solemn ceremony to hand over the historical banner of the Polotsk Cadet Corps to Polotsk Cadet School together with a banner restoration certificate from the All-Russian Art Scientific Restoration Center named after Academician I.E. Grabar.
The Polotsk Cadet Corps was established in 1835 and had the richest military and pedagogical traditions. In all times cadets were known for selfless service to the Fatherland, loyalty to military duty, patriotism, deep professional knowledge, broad education and erudition, a highly developed sense of military comradeship, decency and honor. Almost 3,000 officers graduated from the Polotsk Cadet Corps. Fourteen of them became holder of the Order of St George. Opened in 2010, the Polotsk Cadet School continues the traditions.
During World War I, the Polotsk banner was evacuated to Russia’s Simbirsk. Then it was taken to the Yugoslavian city of Sarajevo, where it was kept in the museum of the Russian Cadet Corps. Then the banner was taken to Germany and then to the United States where it was kept in the synodal Znamensky Cathedral in New York.
Talks on returning the banner to the homeland, to Polotsk, went on for a long time. As a result of long correspondence and negotiations the banner of the Polotsk Cadet Corps returned to Belarus. Next year the banner will be 180 years old.
During World War I, the Polotsk banner was evacuated to Russia’s Simbirsk. Then it was taken to the Yugoslavian city of Sarajevo, where it was kept in the museum of the Russian Cadet Corps. Then the banner was taken to Germany and then to the United States where it was kept in the synodal Znamensky Cathedral in New York.
Talks on returning the banner to the homeland, to Polotsk, went on for a long time. As a result of long correspondence and negotiations the banner of the Polotsk Cadet Corps returned to Belarus. Next year the banner will be 180 years old.
The speakers also got acquainted with the exposition celebrating the Hero of Belarus, graduate of the Polotsk Cadet School Nikita Kukonenko and made entries in the Book of Distinguished Guests.
Photos by Pavel Orlovsky
