The international youth camp «Be-La-Rus» is undergoing a reboot but will preserve its main traditions
Activists of the BRSM, the Russian Youth Union, the Union for Youth Progress of Latvia, and veterans of the youth movement lived through four bright and eventful days, confirming the motto of this year's rally – "Breathe deeply!".
Life in the international tent city, traditionally set up on a meadow near the Mound of Friendship, was bustling around the clock. During the day – numerous sports competitions (including women's football), creative contests, performances, master classes, and in the evening and late into the night – discos and, of course, songs by the campfire with a guitar. Each year, one of the three countries sets the tone for camp life; this time, Latvia acted as the organizer.
Something new always happens at the camp. Among the new features of this summer was the GTO (Ready for Labor and Defense!) standard: to receive a special badge, young men and women had to complete several physical exercises for time and repetitions. Debuts also took place on stage – the competitive entertainment program "B.A.Y.A.N.", in which bright and resourceful representatives of two international teams competed.
Traditions are another important feature of the youth forum, both common to all participants and personal for each. The initiation of newcomers by camp veterans with over 20 years of experience, the farewell circle, and much more create a special atmosphere, reminiscent of a meeting of old good friends.
A trip to the Verkhnedvinsk region has become a good family tradition for Yana and Alexander Kurzanov from Yaroslavl. For 12 years in a row, they have been coming to the camp with their children (and today the young parents have 8 kids!), bringing even the youngest ones – the youngest is about a month old now. They also celebrate the birthdays of their three sons, which fall on these dates.
There are also long-time campers in the delegation from the Vitebsk region. For example, Dina Ignatovich from Lepel returns to the meadow for the seventh time to meet friends she has made thanks to "Be-La-Rus".
A special tradition that unites countries and generations of the international forum is a rally in memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, a commemorative laying of wreaths at the monuments of the Komsomol members of the Proshkovo underground in Belarus, as well as to the second secretary of the underground district committee of the Komsomol, Hero of the Soviet Union, partisan scout Maria Pynto, now on Russian soil. The third wreath was handed over to Latvian neighbors, to the monument of Hero of the Soviet Union Imants Sudmalis.
It is sad that not all the chairs prepared for veterans at the Mound of Friendship were occupied – some could not make it, and some have already finished their heroic and difficult life path. Among the few remaining in service is veteran Vladimir Daschenok, who represented the veteran organization of the Verkhnedvinsk district. He was in this land during the war and comes to the Mound of Friendship every year to see his comrades-in-arms, who are becoming fewer and fewer each time.
– We are not immortal, of course, but we will leave behind our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will carry the victorious banner forward. We, the veterans, deeply believe that you will preserve the memory of our Great Victory, despite all attempts to rewrite history, – Vladimir Vladimirovich addressed the youth.
Remaining true to its traditions, "Be-La-Rus" is undergoing a reboot. As reported by Dmitry Voronyuk, the First Secretary of the BRSM Central Committee, Belarusians, together with their Russian colleagues, have taken the initiative to add an educational and business component to the camp, namely, to organize meetings for young people with famous people who have achieved success in business and other fields, to conduct trainings, master classes, round tables, and open dialogues, the results of which will be concrete agreements and joint projects.
– The most important thing is to change not just the external format, but the essence of the camp, so that it becomes a starting point for the further development of interaction between regions and countries, – says Dmitry Voronyuk. – Different people and opportunities are concentrated in a small clearing. There are full-time employees of youth organizations, IT specialists, and entrepreneurs – this platform should be used for interaction. For example, we are currently developing a Russian-Belarusian business incubator, gathering interested people, and holding a bilateral forum with the invitation of representatives of investment companies and free economic zones, who can talk about the privileges and development prospects of Belarusian business in Russia and vice versa. A similar forum could be organized within the framework of "Be-La-Rus". We would like the camp to be known and accepted as a platform that provides effective assistance and new beginnings for young people.
By the way, next year it will be the Belarusian side's turn to welcome old and new friends to the meadow near the Kurgan Druzhby (Mound of Friendship). But whatever innovations the organizers introduce, the main thing will remain unchanged – the romanticism and unity of the "Be-La-Rus".