Novopolotsk celebrated its 60th anniversary on a grand scale

The very name of the city contains the word "new". It is hard to imagine that just sixty years ago, in place of beautiful blocks and modern palaces of culture and sports, there were village houses. But it was decided to build the country's largest oil refinery and a new city in this very location – on the left bank of the Dvina River, not far from ancient Polotsk.

Among those who were the first to settle in tents in 1958 was Anatoly Kremen, who read about the large Komsomol construction project in the newspaper and came to participate. The young excavator operator had a character befitting his surname – firm and steadfast. Anatoly Stepanovich recalls that he worked without regard for time. He watched houses, schools, a hospital, shops, and trees planted in the park on the riverbank grow before his eyes.

Today, the veteran is in his 90th year; he is a Hero of Socialist Labor and an Honorary Citizen of Novopolotsk. His children and grandchildren have grown up, and his great-grandchildren are growing up. On his native city's birthday, Anatoly Kremen put on his best jacket with orders and walked in the festive procession along the main street of the oil city, which he had once laid out with his peers.

The main celebrations for Novopolotsk's anniversary began with the festive procession. All labor collectives, public organizations, and the younger generation of citizens took part in it.

In the front rows were the Head of the Belarus President's Administration, Natalya Kochanova, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko, representatives of regional and city authorities, and honored guests from twin cities.

– It is very exciting to be at the city's celebration. I am glad to meet those I worked with. Novopolotsk is always young, dynamic, and famous for its people, – shared Natalia Ivanovna.

At the solemn opening ceremony of City Day, Natalia Kochanova read out the congratulatory address of the President of Belarus to the residents and guests of Novopolotsk, which, in particular, states: "Over these years, a small youth settlement, thanks to the diligent and honest work of its residents, has turned into a major industrial and cultural center with powerful economic and intellectual potential. Its history of glorious deeds has already been inscribed in the biography of independent Belarus. Love your city, respect its past, and create the present! May the history of Novopolotsk continue to be shaped by your good deeds and labor achievements. Well-being and prosperity!".

Addressing the residents of Novopolotsk gathered in Builders' Square, Natalia Ivanovna noted that she feels pride in her involvement in the life of the oil city, expressed confidence that the best is yet to come for the city, and presented awards from the Presidential Administration, as well as the Order of Motherhood to the kindergarten №30 educator of Novopolotsk, Oksana Vartanova.

For the city's anniversary, its most distinguished residents, who have excelled in their labor achievements, have been awarded with certificates of honor and gratitude from the government, a number of ministries, and the regional executive committee. The list of honorary citizens of Novopolotsk has also been expanded. This title has been awarded to labor veterans Vladimir Karpinchik, Larisa Shabunina, Valery Rabets, and the director of the Novopolotsk Installation Department – a branch of OJSC "Trest Belsantechmontazh №1", Mikhail Eleshevich.

– The greatest wealth of our city is its people, – emphasized the Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, Dmitry Demidov.

The head of the oil city noted that the average age of residents is 40 years. Veterans – pioneers are surrounded by special honor and attention from the city authorities. Streets and parks are named after them. Modern Novopolotsk is known to everyone as the largest industrial and petrochemical center, a city of innovators.

The enterprises supply products to 50 countries. For fulfilling the socio-economic development indicators, the city has been included in the regional Honor Board. The innovative development of the region is associated with the creation of a petrochemical cluster, which includes the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, OJSC Naftan, and Polotsk State University.

Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko spoke about the prospects for the city's development. It is closely linked with Naftan – the enterprise to which Novopolotsk owes its birth.

"The President of Belarus has set a goal to complete the major modernization of Naftan next year and reach its design capacity in 2020. The enterprise's upgrade will allow increasing the annual oil processing volume from 9.5 million tons to 12 million tons, and increasing the processing depth to 90-92%. This is the highest level of petrochemistry!" emphasized Vladimir Semashko.

In addition, a feasibility study for the reconstruction of "Polimir" is currently being developed.

The first deputy chairman of the regional executive committee, Oleg Matskevich, wished the residents of Novopolotsk new labor and creative achievements. He presented honorary diplomas of the regional executive committee and gratitude from the head of the region, Nikolai Sherstnev, to the front-runners.

The young city on the Dvina celebrates its anniversary as the cultural capital of Belarus. According to the country's Minister of Culture, Yuri Bondar, the oil city has earned this title through its initiatives, projects, and meticulous daily work. The city has created the necessary conditions for unlocking creative potential, aesthetic and moral education, realizing the talents of youth, and developing professional and folk art.

Novopolotsk is known for many international cultural projects. The festival of young pop singers "Khali-Halo" has become its hallmark.

Novopolotsk was the first in Belarus to receive the status of "City Friendly to Children" and was the first to defend this title. This is international recognition that all conditions for a comfortable life and comprehensive development of young citizens have been created here, and children and youth themselves participate in program development.

As part of the anniversary celebration, a grand opening ceremony of the Resource Center for Youth Initiatives "Stupeni" was held, with the participation of Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, a representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The oil city has prepared many gifts for its 60th anniversary. These include the opening of the renovated Palace of Children and Youth, a commemorative plaque in honor of Olympic and Paralympic biathlon champions Irina Krivko and Svetlana Sakhonenko, and the housewarming of a department of the Novopolotsk Territorial Center for Social Services.

A seven-meter metal structure in the shape of a large lily, the symbol of the oil workers' city, has been installed on the central square. In the evening, it blooms with colorful lights.

Athletes who participated in the weightlifting competitions in memory of Sergey Lagun and the water skiing tournament in memory of Nikolai Genov, held as part of the holiday, dedicated their victories to the city's anniversary.

Artists organized an exhibition in the park. Folk craftsmen pleased residents and guests by exhibiting their works in the City of Masters.

The Children's Town invited the youngest to enjoy entertainment. And late in the evening, after the festive concert, fireworks decorated the sky above the birthday city.

Tatyana Pasternak, photos by Dmitry Osipov, "Vitebskiye vesti".