Alexander Subbotin at a meeting with youth: you have the genes of winners

The younger generation, possessing the genes of victors, must understand and remember the peace achieved through blood and grief. This was stated by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, during a "Successful Conversation" at the P.M. Masherov Vitebsk State University.

The main topic of the meeting was the tragedy of Khatyn and its significance in the country's history. The small Belarusian village was wiped off the face of the earth on March 22, 1943. Its residents – the elderly, women, and children – became victims of Nazism: they were driven from their homes, herded into a barn, and set on fire.

In his conversation with students and lyceum students, the head of the northern region noted that there were hundreds of "sister villages" to Khatyn on Belarusian soil – other villages destroyed by the occupiers. And new facts of inhumane actions by the Nazis are being uncovered. He also spoke about visiting places of military glory and memorial complexes, where one is struck by grief and, at the same time, pride. According to Alexander Subbotin, it is impossible to be in such places without tears. "You must remember that you have the genes of victors," he said, addressing the youth. "Not somewhere across the ocean, not in the West, but your grandfathers, great-grandfathers defeated this plague. Someone paid with their life, someone with their health, but they want to take this victory away from you through films, gadgets. This cannot be allowed."

He also cited several examples when Soviet citizens, at the cost of their own lives, defended their compatriots from the invaders and destroyed enemy vehicles and detachments. "These are deeds to be proud of," Alexander Subbotin added. "It is important that you continue to remember how much blood and tears are in this land. If we turn to history, for more than a thousand years they have been burning us, pressing us, cutting us, shooting us, and we are still holding on. All wars went through us." The head of the region reminded the young men and women that every third resident of Vitebsk died during the Great Patriotic War.

In his opinion, the discussion of important historical events should be held regardless of the date. "Yesterday we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the tragedy in Khatyn. Every region has such places of grief and memory where civilians were destroyed. It is very important for young people to understand and remember what blood and grief were achieved for peace. The most important thing is that we talk about these topics not only on the commemorative date itself, but we remember them constantly during meetings with young people and various events," Alexander Subbotin emphasized.

"The theme of Khatyn is one of the unhealed wounds on the map of the Belarusian land. This is what is worth talking about and telling the youth, our history, traditions and memory," shared Anastasia Yaroshchenko, a 4th-year student of the pedagogical faculty of VSU. "Of course, we cannot do without discussing youth initiatives and projects during such meetings. Young people are ready to propose new projects at every dialogue platform." The girl noted that the regional leadership hears and always supports fresh proposals.

Renat Chukmarev, a student of the physics and mathematics class at the VGU Lyceum, said that he is also concerned about admission to higher education institutions, as he plans to become a student in a year. "I am interested in what the centralized exam will look like, the platforms for conducting it, and other nuances," said the lyceum student. "Such meetings are very useful for us, we can ask directly about important things. And it is truly informal communication."

During the "Credit Conversation," the discussion also touched upon the improvement of Vitebsk, the possibility of increasing the number of bike paths, and more. As the chairman of the regional executive committee noted, such dialogues with young men and women provide an opportunity to identify gifted and active youth in universities, colleges, and schools, to rely on them in the future. "Young people have many ideas, and everywhere, from the most unusual scientific developments in science, improvement, education, cultural and patriotic projects – in all directions. It is a treasure trove of fresh ideas. I know from my own experience that you get stuck in certain patterns, and it becomes quite difficult to come up with something new and unusual. But they offer bold and, at first glance, wild ideas. Then you think that precisely these will work," he said.

The informational and educational project "Zachetny Razgovor" (Credible Conversation) was launched at the end of January. It includes a series of meetings between opinion leaders and university and college students. The main goal of the project is both to inform young people about the current socio-political situation in the country and the world, and to receive feedback. Speakers include political scientists, leaders, political commentators from leading media outlets, representatives of the parliamentary corps, and public organizations.

"BELTA"