The concepts for holding the Days of the Pskov Region in Vitebsk and the meeting at the Mound of Friendship were discussed at the regional executive committee.

Today, a delegation from the Pskov region, led by First Deputy Governor Vera Emelyanova, is on a working visit to Vitebsk. The main purpose of the trip is to discuss the concept, timing, and location for the Pskov Region Days in Vitebsk, scheduled for 2023, as well as the updated format of the international meeting of Great Patriotic War veterans, partisans, and underground fighters at the Mound of Friendship.

Today, a delegation from the Pskov region, led by First Deputy Governor Vera Emelyanova, is on a working visit to Vitebsk. The main purpose of the trip is to discuss the concept, timing, and location for the Pskov Region Days in Vitebsk, scheduled for 2023, as well as the updated format of the international meeting of Great Patriotic War veterans, partisans, and underground fighters at the Mound of Friendship.

As reported by Vyacheslav Durnov, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, conceptually, the format of the Pskov Region Days will mirror the similar event held by the Vitebsk region in Pskov in September of this year. The Russian delegation will showcase the region's industrial potential, organise an exhibition, and present an extensive cultural programme.

— I am confident that this will be very interesting for the discerning Vitebsk public; our partners have interesting ideas and capabilities. Regarding the timing, two options are being considered: during the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival or during Vitebsk City Day, which precedes the festival. Despite potential challenges, we will strive to accommodate the wishes of our Pskov colleagues as much as possible, including the selection of venues for the planned projects, — explained Vyacheslav Durnov.

According to Vera Emelyanova, the Vitebsk Region Days in Pskov were effective in all aspects and, most importantly, resonated greatly with the region's residents, fostering a desire for such events to be held more frequently. Therefore, the Russian delegation has brought proposals to Vitebsk to enhance their format. They are ready to supplement them with new projects aimed at the development of both regions. This includes initiatives within the cultural programme, as well as ideas for industrial and investment projects.

In 2023, the Russian side will be the organiser of the International Meeting of WWII Veterans and Participants of the Partisan Movement at the Mound of Friendship. Guests from Pskov propose to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing youth engagement and developing contacts between public organisations, so that the Mound of Friendship becomes a meeting place for generations, as well as ideas for unification and development.

— We see the need for a more detailed development of the youth component of the project. It should not be a meeting held once a year. Throughout the entire period, youth and children's public organisations should participate in events related to the preservation of historical memory, events of the Great Patriotic War, and patriotic projects. And then, as a final chord, a meeting at the Mound of Friendship to summarise the results and plan future activities. In other words, the essence of our initiative is that the meeting should become a systematic joint activity around our common historical past and future, rather than remaining just one of the events in the calendar, — emphasised Vera Emelyanova.

Representatives of committees and departments of the regional executive committee and the city executive committee, institutions and organisations of Vitebsk participated in the working meeting. At the end of the visit, the guests from Pskov assessed the potential of Vitebsk venues that could host the Days of the Pskov Region next year.

"Vitebskiye Vesti".

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by