The Mound of Friendship over the years of its existence has become a place of remembrance for three peoples - Nikolai Sherstnev

"We want the people's memory of those events and the human suffering experienced to grow stronger every year. All this is to prevent war in the future," noted Nikolai Sherstnev. He added that the youth should preserve and multiply the traditions created by their fathers and grandfathers at the Mound of Friendship.

The Governor of the Pskov Region, Mikhail Vedernikov, emphasized that the meeting participants are at a historical and legendary place. "In these impassable forests in 1942, Russian, Belarusian, and Latvian partisans formed what is known today as the partisan land. This territory became a symbol of people's heroism, an embodiment of righteous revenge, human pride, self-sacrifice, and fierce resistance," said the head of the region.

Mikhail Vedernikov recalled that as a result of the war, over 311,000 partisans were awarded orders and medals for their selflessness and heroism, and 248 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. "At the same time, half of the awards – 144,000 – were received by soldiers who fought on the territory of Belarus. Our Belarusian brothers made a colossal contribution to the common victory, and we, Russians, will never forget this," added the governor.

Every year, the number of veterans of the Great Patriotic War attending the meeting decreases. Among those who came to the anniversary meeting was 93-year-old Nikolai Sushkov from Polotsk. "Even when I was serving in the army after the war, I used to come here with my soldiers. Veterans would tell them about the war. Later, I started coming with my sons, because it is not just important for young people to be here, but necessary for them to know who fought and how," noted Nikolai Sushkov.

Vladimir Dashchenok, one of the regular participants in the celebrations on the border of Belarus, Russia, and Latvia, shares his sentiment. He in

At the age of 17, he joined the partisans and fought the enemy in this area. "It's right that young people come to these places and set up camp. I meet with them annually. They are very interested in memories and treat us with respect," the veteran added.

Yesterday, the 60th international meeting of front-line soldiers, partisans, and underground fighters from Belarus, Russia, and Latvia took place at the junction of three states. The meeting began with the laying of flowers and wreaths – first at the monument to the Komsomol scout Maria Pyntho in Russia, and then at the monument to the Komsomol heroes of the village of Proshki on Belarusian soil.

And in conclusion, the leadership of the Pskov and Vitebsk regions handed over a basket of flowers to the Latvian side for laying at the monument to the Hero of the Soviet Union Imants Sudmalis. Before the start of the commemorative events, participants, separated by the small Sinyaya River, which marks the border between Russia and Latvia, waved to each other, exchanged greetings, and sang "Katyusha" in unison. The Russian side, in honor of the jubilee

meetings, commemorative medals were made and presented to some guests.

The Mound of Friendship was built in 1959 on the border of three republics in honor of the combat fellowship of partisans from Belarus, Russia, and Latvia. The earth for it was taken from the graves of partisans and Red Army soldiers, from the places where Alexander Matrosov, Klavdiya Nazarova, Leonid Golikov, Maria Poryvaeva, and other heroes died. Three alleys lead to the mound: from Belarus – a birch alley, from Russia – a maple alley, from Latvia – a linden alley. An oak tree grows at the top, symbolizing the unbreakable friendship of the three peoples. Three granite slabs bear inscriptions in three languages: "The Mound of Friendship was erected at the junction of the borders of three fraternal republics in honor of the combat friendship, sealed with blood during the Great Patriotic War by Russian, Belarusian, and Latvian partisans. Opened on July 3, 1959."

BELTA.