Gratitude to gifted children and their teachers was expressed at the main Christmas tree of Pridvinye

The best schoolchildren of the Dvina region received a charge of magical powers for new achievements at the regional charity event in Vitebsk.

"Winter holidays bring us Christmas and New Year celebrations, the smell of a Christmas tree decorated with garlands and beautiful toys, and gifts. The very best have gathered here today. Those who, through their work and studies, bring glory to themselves and their families, our region, and the Republic of Belarus," welcomed the guests Vladimir Terentyev, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.

The region's main Christmas tree gathered about 1,000 schoolchildren from different parts of the region at the "Vitebsk" concert hall: excellent students, winners of subject Olympiads, creative competitions, and sports events. And, of course, invitations were extended to orphans and children left without parental care, pupils of boarding schools, children with disabilities, children from large and low-income families, refugee families, and other categories in need of additional attention and support.

"Today, to be an educated person, it is not enough to be able to read and write. One must also master economic, environmental, computer, and legal literacy. And here, teachers, whose contribution is invaluable, come to the rescue. Thanks to you, 104 boys and girls from our region became scholarship holders of the President's Fund for the Social Support of Gifted Students this year. It is gratifying that 80 of our students became winners of the republican Olympiad in various subjects," noted the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee. - I would like to express my hope that the upcoming year 2016 will be full of optimism, joy, and health for all of you."

The children became spectators of the interactive musical "The Wizard of Oz," prepared by the "Vitebsk" Cultural Center, had a festive meal, and, of course, received New Year's gifts. As Maria Yakimova, a student of Gymnasium No. 1 from Polotsk, one of the guests who attended such an event for the first time, noted, this holiday remains the most anticipated at any age because it gives hope and faith in magic.

Marina Baranovskaya, a teacher at the Children and Youth Creativity Center of the Pervomaisky District of Vitebsk, added that faith in miracles and the children themselves turns them into wizards capable of surprising, reaching incredible heights, and setting an example for others. The regional festival is one of the main events of the republican New Year's charity campaign "Our Children" in the region. Representatives of the regional executive committee and its departments, city and district executive committees, district administrations in Vitebsk, and local councils of deputies of all levels participate in the campaign events. Officials visit children's boarding institutions, foster and adoptive families, family-type children's homes, families raising children with disabilities, correctional and developmental education and rehabilitation centers, and children's hospitals. Heads of local authorities congratulate children on New Year and Christmas, present gifts, and provide assistance in solving problems. The "Our Children" campaign has been held in Belarus from December 10, 2015, to January 10, 2016.

Ekaterina Knyazeva, BELTA.