About 400 people united the Republican festival "Novopolotsk – Youth Capital of Belarus-2023" and the forum "Belarus. Youth. Creation".
The center of attraction on this day was the exhibition-presentation "Novopolotsk – a city of opportunities for youth". Here, the rich potential of the oil refining city, one of the youngest in Belarus, was presented.
– I would like to note that the republican project "Youth Capital" is today passing from Vitebsk to Novopolotsk, one of the youngest cities in the country, which celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, – said the Minister of Education of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Ivants. – We are confident that not only youth from Novopolotsk, but also from all over the republic, will be able to get acquainted with the history of the city, cultural, educational, and sports institutions located here. Today, Belarus has all the conditions for young people to realize themselves in patriotic education: military-patriotic clubs and detachments have been created throughout the country, and sports grounds are also important centers of attraction where young men and women can find themselves.
Despite the festive atmosphere, the Minister of Education touched upon the topic of mass rallies with the participation of teenagers.
– We see that today there is a serious struggle for our youth, for their minds, – noted Andrei Ivants. – Therefore, of course, both the pedagogical community and parents together must do everything possible to direct the energy, thoughts, and ideas of young people towards creation. For the last two days, we have seen that destructive channels are trying to bring young people to the streets who do not fully realize what they are doing. We are confident that the information work that is currently being carried out will help protect and preserve our youth. Undoubtedly, each of them must understand that their own life and destiny are in their own hands.
Following the exhibition, a grand opening ceremony was held for the Republican Festival "Youth Capital of the Republic of Belarus-2023" and the Republican Forum "Belarus. Youth. Creation".
The Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, Dmitry Demidov, read a congratulatory address from the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, Natalya Kochanova:
"On behalf of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, I sincerely welcome the participants, guests, and organizers of the festival dedicated to awarding Novopolotsk the status of Youth Capital of the Republic of Belarus – 2023. Novopolotsk is a true embodiment of modernity, youth, and creative energy. It is one of the most dynamically developing cities in Belarus, a major industrial, scientific, educational, and cultural youth center, open to creative initiatives and innovative ideas. The city is honored to receive the baton of a new stage of the republican project thanks to its residents, who are always young at heart, energetic and talented, hardworking and purposeful, loving their small homeland and country. Dear compatriots, may the title of Youth Capital contribute to the worthy development of the city's traditions, being child-friendly, fostering an atmosphere of mutual understanding, social, economic, and political activity of youth, and give you inspiration and strength to conquer new heights. I sincerely wish you good health, happiness, well-being, brilliant success, and good endeavors for the benefit of beloved Belarus."
Welcoming the event participants, the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, noted:
– The hospitable Vitebsk region is once again welcoming this magnificent republican youth festival. We are not hosting guests under this banner for the first time; before this, Orsha, Polotsk, and Vitebsk were Youth Capitals, and now it is the turn of one of the youngest cities in the country – Novopolotsk. The Youth Capital is not just a title for a year; it is a whole chapter that should remain one of the brightest in the history of wonderful Novopolotsk and our country. I want to wish the youth creative success, inexhaustible energy, and excellent results. Remember, we all need your energy. Youth built the BAM, now they are building cosmodromes, cities, power plants, and cultivating virgin lands, so there are great hopes for you. Do not lose this enthusiasm; direct it towards good deeds. I wish you creative success, health, and to be patriots of our wonderful Motherland.
Also on this day, a republican seminar-meeting "Organization of Work with Student Youth in the Context of Changed and Updated Legislative and Regulatory Legal Acts" and a dialogue platform with the participation of the Minister of Education of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Ivanets, representatives of youth public associations and formations will be held.