On May 14, the Day of the State Emblem and Flag of Belarus was celebrated in Vitebsk

Over the years of independence, a magnificent and beautiful tradition has emerged in our city, through which citizens express their respect for the main state symbols (the anthem is also among them).

The celebration itself reflects the continuity of generations – the victors, whose military and other labor secured a peaceful sky and a calm, prosperous life, and all those who lived after the war, which includes each of us. The solemn ceremony, emphasizing the unity of the citizens of their Fatherland, always begins on Victory Square. This time, from the Eternal Flame at the memorial complex in honor of the Soviet soldiers, partisans, and underground fighters of Vitebsk region, a torch was lit and carried along Moskovsky Prospekt to the "Order of Victory" memorial sign, along with the flag of the Republic of Belarus, by the young titled athletes of the region. This majestic event was attended by Nikita Fomchenko, Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus in trampoline, a two-time winner of the European Championship; Elena Golubkina, Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus in swimming, a member of the national team; Vadim Kurbachev, Candidate for Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus in boxing, a two-time European Junior Champion; Maxim Tychina, Candidate for Master of Sports in acrobatic gymnastics, a prize-winner of the Republic of Belarus Cup and the republican school student games; Alexandra Degtyareva, Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus in swimming, Champion of the Republic of Belarus; Ivan Slava, Candidate for Master of Sports in artistic gymnastics, a member of the national team, winner of the Republic of Belarus Championship. The honor of carrying the torch was awarded to Yuri Suvorov, Master of Sports in swimming, participant of the 2012 London Olympic Games, twelve-time record holder of the Republic of Belarus.

Representatives of government bodies, labor collectives, and veteran organizations participated in the event at the "Order of Victory" memorial sign.

organizations, public associations, educational institutions. Representatives of OJSC "Trud-Vitebsk" led by director Igor Kerasev were also present. It is this sewing enterprise that produces the state symbols with which the Vitebsk residents attended the celebration. The chief engineer of OJSC "Trud-Vitebsk" Alexander Dudkin shared that he feels real inspiration and uplift, especially on such a fine day as last Sunday turned out to be.

The rally was opened by the Chairman of the City Council of Deputies, Vladimir Beleevich, who congratulated everyone present on behalf of the regional and city executive committees, and the deputy corps of the region and city on the Day of the State Emblem of the Republic of Belarus and the State Flag of the Republic of Belarus.

— State symbols unite us in the most important moments in the fate of the Fatherland, — emphasized Vladimir Iosifovich. — And no matter what corner of the world fate may cast us, they always remind us of home, give us the opportunity to feel that Belarus is all of us together!

The honorable right to raise the flag was granted to a participant of the partisan movement during the Great Patriotic War, Tatyana Zabello, a psychologist of the signal battalion of the 103rd Guards Separate Airborne Brigade, Guards Senior Lieutenant Andrey Balanescu, and the winner of the republican mathematics Olympiad, an 8th "B" grade student of Secondary School No. 11 in Vitebsk, Viktor Makovsky.

Vitaly SHIENOK. Photo by Oleg KLIMOVICH. "Vitbichi".