The aspiration of the Belarusian people for independence is the core that gives strength and consolidates the nation. This was stated by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, during a rally on Victory Square in Vitebsk, dedicated to Independence Day, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
On Independence Day, Victory Square is crowded. Traditionally, it hosts the main celebrations. They began at the memorial complex honouring the Soviet soldiers, partisans, and underground fighters of the Vitebsk region. Representatives of the regional and city leadership, the deputy corps, public associations, agencies, clergy, youth, and schoolchildren laid flowers and wreaths at the Eternal Flame. The memory of the defenders was honoured with a minute of silence.
In his welcoming address, the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, noted that every nation has fateful days and events that mark the starting point of a new stage in history, evoke spiritual uplift, and unite citizens. "July 3, 1944, became such a date in the Belarusian calendar. We celebrate the Day of the liberation of our capital from the Nazi invaders as the main state holiday of the Republic of Belarus's independence," he emphasised. "The aspiration of our people for independence is the core that gives strength and consolidates the nation. We have had to defend our land for many years. Despite various political upheavals, the Belarusian people have endured and have not disappeared from the historical stage. Belarus faced the greatest trials during the Great Patriotic War. Humanity had not known such atrocities as were committed then. The struggle for every inch of native land and the road to the victory salute were unimaginably difficult."
The head of the northern region recalled the punitive operations to exterminate civilians, which swept across the Vitebsk region during the war years. In particular, "Cottbus" in the Dokshytsy district, when 99 villages were wiped off the face of the earth, and thousands of people were killed. "In the village of Shuneyevka, the Nazis coldly took the lives of 66 civilians. Among them were 15 children, the eldest of whom was only 6 years old. The adults were herded into a barn and set on fire. Those who tried to escape the terrible death were met by the bullets of the punitive forces. The executioners threw small children alive into a well. One of the cruelest and bloodiest punitive operations with the blasphemous name "Winter Magic" was carried out in the north of the Vitebsk region, on the adjacent territories of Russia and Latvia. The Nazis left scorched earth behind them. The current Verkhnedvinsk district was practically depopulated," said Alexander Subbotin.
In his opinion, these facts are not random episodes of the war, but evidence of the deliberate policy of genocide pursued by the Nazis against the population of Belarus. "Fascism brought destruction, condemned millions of people to death, but not to oblivion. Stern monuments and mass graves, memorial complexes and the Eternal Flame are rightfully considered national shrines," the governor noted. "They testify to the greatness of the feat. It is our honor to maintain the places of military glory in proper condition. It is noteworthy that it was in the Year of Historical Memory that they became objects of our special care. In the Vitebsk region, over 180,000 surnames of the fallen are inscribed on memorial plaques. The memory of those who gave us freedom and independence lives in our hearts."
Alongside their parents, schoolchildren and very young children joined the celebration. Soon, they will have to continue the glorious tradition and pass on the great memory to future generations. In the meantime, they absorb knowledge and love for their families' history, becoming part of a grand celebration. "We come here with a sense of awe every year. For our family, this is a special day, just like May 9th. My grandmother is a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, she tells many stories. She worked in military hospitals from the age of 14. Her father was in Kurmelev's partisan detachment under the command of Shmyrev. They blew up railways and bridges," shared Elena Rakhmanova, who came to the celebration with her school-aged daughter. "We preserve our entire family history and pass it on to our children. I believe that children should be instilled with this memory and love for their homeland from infancy, so they understand the effort it took for us to have a peaceful sky."
For the residents and guests of the city, musical and entertainment programmes were organised on Independence Day. Interactive sites began operating from early morning. In the evening, the largest square in Vitebsk will also become the epicentre of the celebrations. At 21:00, it will be filled with music again – the first chords of the concert "Belarus Spieunaya" will be heard. And closer to 23:00, the number of artists will significantly increase – the audience will join the "Let's Sing the Anthem Together" campaign. A spectacular finale to Independence Day will be a fireworks display, which will paint the festive sky over Vitebsk with all sorts of patterns.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by
