The festivities began early in the morning. This year, the organizers decided to revive the tradition of a street procession from Lenin Square to Victory Square. Wreaths and flowers were laid at the monument to the liberator soldiers. The military of the Vitebsk garrison marched in a solemn parade. Words of sincere gratitude were expressed to the veterans and war participants.

Chairman of the regional executive committee Nikolai Sharsnyov met with representatives of the region's mass media on the eve.

The Head of Government familiarized himself with the work of several enterprises: the Orsha Tool Plant, the flax mill. He emphasized the development of production of new types of products, including excavator equipment, at the open joint-stock company "Amkodor-KEZ" in Kokhanovo.

Today is the International Day of the Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps. Events dedicated to this day are taking place throughout the region. Students of the third Vitebsk gymnasium named after Pushkin invited former prisoners to visit. Such meetings are real lessons of courage. During the years of the fascist ordeal, 5 concentration camps operated on the territory of the regional center. One of the largest was "Pyaty Polk" (Fifth Regiment). Today, a rally and a flower-laying ceremony took place at its site.

Issues of strengthening mutual trade, economic and humanitarian ties between the Vitebsk and Astrakhan regions of the Russian Federation were discussed during a meeting in the Caspian capital by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Shersnev, and Governor Alexander Zhilkin. These days, a business delegation from the Dvina region is on an official visit there.

In the next five years, it is planned to attract more than 10 billion rubles to the region's economy, including 670 million US dollars. These funds will be directed towards the implementation of investment projects with a high share of science-intensive and resource-saving technologies, the creation of joint ventures, including those focused on import substitution.

The implementation of the program "Innovative Development of Flax Complexes of Belarus and Russia" is planned to begin in 2018. The draft concept was considered in Orsha at a field meeting of the commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State for Budget and Finance. The deputies also discussed topical issues of regional cooperation and visited local enterprises.

On the occasion of the anniversary, the renovated police museum and a memorial sign in memory of those who died in the line of duty were solemnly opened in Vitebsk. The best law enforcement officers and service veterans were awarded with honorary diplomas and anniversary medals.

Belarus has learned the names of its best athletes. A jury, comprising renowned journalists, athletes, and sports officials, selected the most deserving. Fans also voted for a month. The main criterion for nominees was not only the Olympics but also the results shown on the world stage in 2015 and 2016. This was to ensure no sporting achievement was overlooked. Behind a modest smile and a chic evening gown, Maria Mamashuk from Gomel hides a touch of sadness that she didn't bring home a gold medal from Rio. She came close in the final against the Japanese opponent and hadn't lost a single bout all year! Yet, her silver medal was hailed as the breakthrough of the year. Maria is the first athlete in the history of sovereign Belarus to win an Olympic medal on the wrestling mat. "It was my Olympics and no one else's," Masha said in Brazil. But sport, like women, is unpredictable. As soon as she returned home, she began preparing for the new Olympic cycle. She will be the youngest contender for gold in Tokyo. The best "Result of the Year" belongs to Marina Arzamasova – the first non-black world champion in the 800-meter race. For two years, the honored master of sports had to fight not only herself but also illness (the athlete has pneumonia, but she promises to return to competitions in a month) – therefore, Marina's coach receives the award. It so happened that almost all the awards today are for the fairer sex. The brightest emotions of 2015. This is what the organizers spoke about. But how can one forget this biathlon miracle? Daria Domracheva's Big Crystal Globe. Today, the three-time Olympic champion is once again recognized as the best athlete in Belarus, and this is the fans' opinion. However, Dasha herself could not come to receive the award – the pre-Olympic week in South Korea did not allow it. And here is Vitebsk celebrating. The only Olympic champion from Rio – Belarus's first trampoline gold medalist, Vladislav Goncharov – is the best athlete, and his mentor, Olga Vlasova, is the best coach. Could it have been otherwise? And even the Chinese, who

A military parade and rally were held in Vitebsk on the occasion of the Defender of the Fatherland and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Belarus. Regional leadership, representatives of the deputy corps, enterprises and public organizations, veterans and schoolchildren gathered at Victory Square near the monument to soldiers, partisans and underground fighters. The grand military-patriotic program began with laying flowers and wreaths at the monument to the liberator soldiers. Afterwards, several battalions marched in a solemn procession, and a company of honor guard performed with an orchestra. About a hundred more Vitebsk residents experienced military life on February 23. An open day was held on the territory of the 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Brigade. Guests of various generations attended. Some viewed an exhibition of weapons and military equipment, while others watched paratroopers preparing for jumps.

9 teams representing law enforcement agencies and a team from the regional executive committee competed for the title of the strongest in shooting from a Makarov pistol at the shooting range of the military training ground in Losvido.