MINSK, 4 May (BelTA) – Mutual visits of young people bring regions closer to each other. The statement was made by Minsk Oblast Governor Anatoly Isachenko after meeting with a delegation of Russia's Bryansk Oblast, BelTA has learned.
An international patriotic youth project Marathon of Friendship between Minsk Oblast and Bryansk Oblast is taking place in Minsk Oblast on 3-4 May. The project is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Belarus' liberation from the Nazi and the 74th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
On the first day the delegations visited a culture palace and the central district library in Borisov, Minsk Oblast.
On the second day over 30 representatives of creative youth, patriotic organizations, volunteers, and the Bryansk Oblast administration were made familiar with the work of the Belarusian-Chinese car manufacturer SZAO BelGee. They also went on a tour of the Belarusian State Museum of History of the Great Patriotic War. They laid flowers at the Mound of Glory and met with Minsk Oblast Governor Anatoly Isachenko.
During the meeting the guests from Russia talked about work with youth in Bryansk Oblast. In turn, Anatoly Isachenko presented Minsk Oblast's experience in the area of youth policy.
After an informal conversation at a round table the delegations exchanged souvenirs. Bryansk Oblast received a fragment of a Slutsk sash. Minsk Oblast received a commemorative book. Both sides sang the song Katyusha at the end of the meeting.
The Minsk Oblast governor believes: “Mutual visits of young people bring us closer to each other and indicate that we honor, remember, love, and respect the past. We have common history. Our grandfathers and great grandfathers fought together. This is why young people should remember it and talk to each other: there is nothing better than interpersonal relations for making ties stronger.”
In turn, Maria Rayevskaya, Head of the Youth Policy and Public Projects Office of the Domestic Policy Department of Bryansk Oblast, mentioned the very warm welcome the delegation had enjoyed in Belarus. “It is definitely a Marathon of Friendship: we were greeted with open arms. Together we laid flowers at Great Patriotic War monuments. Together we recalled once again that we have common history, that our ancestors managed to survive those dreadful years together. Certainly, we have a common future, too: together we are implementing some programs. I hope in the future we will sign another number of agreements on cooperation between Minsk Oblast and Bryansk Oblast within the framework of the state youth policy,” she noted.
The project has been organized by the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee, the Minsk Oblast Committee of the Belarusian national youth union BRSM, and the administrations of Borisov District, Berezino District, and Smolevichi District.
