The Flame of Peace torch relay of the II European Games in Vitebsk
Here, the chairman of the regional council of deputies, Vladimir Terentyev, addressed the gathered crowd. He noted that Vitebsk region delegated more than 30 athletes to the Belarusian national team, each of whom has high sports potential and a champion's character, and wished the relay a successful journey and the athletes bright victories.
Then, the head of the "Flame of Peace" torch relay of the II European Games, Olga Rybachenok, took the stage. She awarded Vladimir Terentyev and General Director of LLC "Management Company of Holding "Belarusian Leather and Footwear Company "Marko", Nikolai Martynov, with certificates of honor for fruitful conscientious work and significant contribution to the development of physical culture and sports.
The honorable right to be the first to carry the "Flame of Peace" through Vitebsk was granted to the First Deputy Minister of Culture of Belarus, Natalia Karchevskaya. Then, the torch relay was picked up by the silver medalist of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, Igor Kanygin, Nikolai Martynov, People's Artist of the Republic, Svetlana Okruzhna, the winner of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Vladislav Goncharov, and others. Their route ran along Lenin, Suvorov, Tolstoy, Pushkin, and Kalinin streets.
They also visited the Holy Assumption Cathedral. Everywhere, the torchbearers were greeted with performances by creative groups of Vitebsk. And in the courtyard of the Marc Chagall House-Museum, the participants of the torch relay encountered young artists.
- We are holding a summer plein air for students of children's art schools, - said the museum director Irina Voronova. – The children showed great interest in the relay. Initially, we planned to invite a maximum of 12 children to the courtyard, but everyone wanted to be present and be part of this bright event.
The Vitebsk stage of the torch relay concluded on Victory Square. There, the Chairman of the City Executive Committee Viktor Nikolaikin addressed the gathered public. He emphasized that the "Flame of Peace" is a flame of warmth that will warm millions of people at the II European Games. And he drew attention to a good omen:
- As soon as the "Flame of Peace" appeared in the city, it immediately started raining. And rain on a journey is a good sign. May it bring many sporting victories to Belarusians.
- I am very glad that I had the opportunity to carry the "Flame of Peace" torch through the streets of Vitebsk and immerse myself in the festive atmosphere, - said Denis Denisyuk, an engineer at UP "Vitebskgaz", a master of sports in athletics. - The European Games raise the country's rating in the international arena, promote sports and a healthy lifestyle.
