A rally-requiem dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the formation of the "Surazh Gates" was held in the Vitebsk region
Representatives of local authorities, labor collectives, public associations, students of Surazh Secondary School, and local residents gathered at the military burial site. Vladimir Terentyev, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, participated in the event.
Surazh has witnessed much in its history. It has been subjected to devastating invasions more than once, witnessed military actions, was burned by enemies, and was rebuilt time and again by the persistent labor of its people. 80 years ago, on February 10, 1942, the "Surazh (Vitebsk) Gate" began to operate on the front line – a corridor up to 40 kilometers wide, free from occupation, in the line of the German Army Groups "North" and "Center" between Velizh and Usvyaty, which operated until September 28, 1942. This peculiar breakthrough appeared as a result of the offensive of Soviet troops during the Toropets-Kholm Operation and the actions of partisan detachments, which managed to liberate several villages in the Vitebsk region. This was the first territory in Belarus liberated from the enemy.
The breach in the flanks of the German defense allowed for the evacuation of over 200,000 civilians to the mainland. Through the "Surazh Gate," authorized representatives and liaisons of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus, organizers and leaders of the party underground and partisan movement, groups and entire detachments, specialists and instructors were sent to the territory occupied by the Germans. Weapons, ammunition, medicines, explosives, and communication equipment were transported to the enemy's rear. The "Gate" was guarded by the 51st Rifle Brigade and the 249th Rifle Division, as well as partisan detachments.
– During the offensive operation, soldiers of the 3rd and 4th Shock Armies liberated a large territory comparable to the territory of the Vitebsk region, – noted Vladimir Terentyev. – It is no coincidence that on February 8, 1967, for active participation in the partisan movement during the Great Patriotic War and for the successes achieved in the restoration and development of the national economy, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Vitebsk region was awarded the Order of Lenin. The preservation of historical memory and its transfer to the next generation are important for the Belarusian people, especially in the Year of Historical Memory. It is gratifying that not only the older generation, but also schoolchildren know and remember at the cost of how many lives our freedom was won.
– The "Surazh Gates" are not called a hole in the front line for nothing; they are the "gates of life" that made a huge contribution to the victory of the Soviet people over the German fascist invaders, – emphasized the Chairman of the Vitebsk District Executive Committee Gennady Sabynich. – At all times, the unity of the people has been, is, and will be the main national idea for our country, both in political and spiritual terms. This is the national foundation that connects our past, present, and future.
The participants of the rally-requiem laid flowers at the fraternal grave and observed a minute of silence in their memory.
On the same day, the head of the Vitebsk region's parliamentary corps became the main speaker at a dialogue platform on the topic "The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus - the basis for national unity and the preservation of the people's historical memory," which took place at the Surazh urban settlement culture house. The discussion of the draft of the Basic Law was attended by the leadership of the Vitebsk district, deputies, members of work collectives, and elders of the villages of the Surazh village council. Social guarantees, the political system, the preservation of historical memory, and family values are an incomplete list of topics that were touched upon during the meeting.