Red letter day
November 7 is the Day of the October Revolution, a public holiday in the calendar of the sovereign Republic of Belarus. What does it mean to you? – with this question, we turned to people of different ages and professions.
Mikhail Volkov, Deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, Vitebsk:
– For me, November 7 is, as always, a red-letter day. In our family, it was revered as a holiday of socialism, faith in the future. I am the son of participants in the Great Patriotic War. My mother graduated from it as a captain of the medical service. My father fought in Western Ukraine in a special-purpose detachment under the command of Hero of the Soviet Union Dmitry Medvedev, he was a colleague of intelligence officer Nikolai Kuznetsov, Hero of the Soviet Union, known from the books "Strong in Spirit", "The Feat of the Scout". My parents were awarded orders and medals. My father and mother taught me to treat November 7 with reverence.
Leonid Matskevich, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of the Public Association of Veterans:
– November 7 is a symbol of freedom, equality, and justice for our people. That's why this day was celebrated for so many years. Today, we should not forget all the good things associated with it. Thanks to the changes that took place in 1917, we received education, work, and the flourishing of our homeland – first the USSR, and now the Republic of Belarus.
Vladimir Chekavy, Chief Physician of the Postavy District Hospital:
– In November, we hold a medical conference at the hospital on the topic "History of Healthcare in the Postavy District: Traditions and Modernity". This is a good opportunity to pay tribute to our predecessors in the profession, to tell young people about veterans, because our work today is based on the best achievements of Soviet medicine. In honor of colleagues who worked at the hospital, a memorial sign has been erected by grateful successors.
Marina Kashkur, First Secretary of the Miory District Committee of the BRSM:
– I grew up in a village, where there was plenty of work both on weekdays and holidays. When I was studying at the Polotsk Pedagogical College, I was happy that November 7th was an extra day off. Members of the BRSM in our district participate in events dedicated to this day. I love to sing; last year, on November 7th, I performed at a talent show. This year, a district draft assembly is planned for November 6th. My performance is also on the program.
Nadezhda Anishchenko, People's Teacher of the USSR, pensioner, Dubrovno:
– I have the fondest memories of this holiday. It was felt both at work and at home, it united people. We gathered, socialized, and had fun. Over time, it all faded away. Now I am a member of the district veterans' organization council. On November 7th, we lay wreaths at the monument to Lenin in the center of Dubrovno. Flowers are also laid there on weekdays.
Barys Belezhenka, poet, member of the Union of Writers of Belarus, Vitebsk:
– I remember how November 7th was celebrated in different periods, starting from the Stalin era. It was a real holiday; people prepared for it, confident that it would always be so. The October Revolution was a turning point in the history of our country and all of humanity. I believe it should be approached objectively, taking into account both the undeniable achievements and the distortions that characterized that era. As for the celebration, there are probably people today, and not only in Belarus, who celebrate this day within their families.