About half a thousand young men were gathered by the international camp "Be-La-Rus" in the Verkhnedvinsk district
If there is a paradise on Earth, it is located in the Verkhnedvinsk district, at the junction of the borders of three countries: Belarus, Latvia, and Russia. And all those who have once immersed themselves in the atmosphere of unity of peoples on the forest glade near the Kurgan Druzhby are convinced of this simple truth. For 23 years now, "Be-La-Rus" has been gathering the best of the best representatives of the younger generation. Previously, the main "feature" of the camp was swimming in the river on Latvian territory, lunch – on Russian territory, and the competition program – on Belarusian territory. Today, unfortunately, participants of the youth gathering do not have such an opportunity. However, can borders stop people who are boundlessly in love with "Be-La-Rus"?
This year, the Russian Youth Union took over the reins of the camp's life. Considering that 2014 has been declared the Year of Culture in this country, the meeting of young people from Belarus, Latvia, and Russia was united by a common theme –
"Cultural Revolution". A packed program with new "features", games, and competitions could not, however, do without traditional events: initiation of newcomers with oak branches, extravagant carols by Latvian friends, the farewell "Orlyonok" circle... Among the many traditions carefully preserved by Be-La-Russians, one more should be highlighted, perhaps the most important – a meeting with veterans at the Mound of Friendship and, of course, laying flowers and wreaths at the monuments to the fallen. After all, in the year of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, this topic is particularly relevant.All this vibrant life was covered, or rather, the history of the camp was created in pictures, by dozens of amateur photographers. Among them is our countrywoman – Valentina Ustyantseva from Novopolotsk, who became the winner of the photo contest
"Chiz-2014". By the way, her friends and camp colleagues played a significant role in the girl's victory. Representatives of the Vitebsk regional organization of the NGO "BRSM" celebrated a mock Be-La-Russian wedding with a tourist flair right in the meadow. By the way, the idea of the Vitebsk residents was supported by other teams as well. Meanwhile, such cheerful events, and the camp itself, can seriously become a starting point for a new married life. Among such Be-La-Russian couples are Olya Yakubtseva and Sergey Tsitsorin with 13 years of joint life.Thus, 23 years of history testify: the camp has managed to unite tens, if not hundreds, of loving hearts. It has also united and, one might even say, bound in the chains of eternal friendship thousands of Belarusians, Latvians, and Russians.
Anastasia Alimova, "Vitebskiye Vesti"