The patriotic education program was discussed in Novopolotsk
– The work on patriotic education knows no bounds, – noted the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentyev. – Patriotism is the foundation of society. Today, it is necessary to restore historical truth, not to keep silent about significant facts, which is especially important in the Year of Historical Memory.
A patriot is someone who honestly and conscientiously works at their workplace, whether it is a simple factory worker, an enterprise manager, or a deputy elected by the people. This opinion was expressed by the Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Council of Deputies Oleg Buyevich.
– It is very difficult to instill a sense of patriotism in adults when their views on life have already been formed, so we try to start working with the younger generation as early as possible, – added Oleg Gennadyevich.
Participants of the field meeting, including the chairmen of city and district councils of deputies, laid flowers at the monument to the underground fighter Liliya Kostetskaya. For the guests, a mobile exhibition "Heroes of the Great Patriotic War – natives of Vitebsk region" was presented, dedicated to fellow countrymen who fought for the Motherland – the result of meticulous research by students of educational institutions in Novopolotsk. The memory of the fallen heroes who gave their lives for happiness on earth was honored with a minute of silence.
Military training skills were demonstrated by young pupils of the "Sokol" military-patriotic club.
The guests learned about Novopolotsk's experience in patriotic education, which is widely conducted in educational institutions and work collectives, and about the events held in the city for children and youth. At the Ice Palace of HC "Khimik," delegations were presented with presentations of the most significant public initiatives. Here, one could see that in the oil city, patriotic education truly begins from kindergarten age: preschoolers in tunics and caps recited poems on a military-patriotic theme.
– The upbringing of a person as an individual, as a citizen, begins in childhood. And the main condition is the formation of patriotic consciousness in children, a sense of loyalty to their Motherland, readiness to perform tasks to ensure the defense of the Fatherland, and the acquisition of knowledge and competencies necessary for life, – commented Nikolay Romanovsky, Head of the Department of Ideological Work, Culture, and Youth Affairs.
Traditionally, Novopolotsk hosts the "Planet of Childhood" festival, where pupils of preschool institutions demonstrate their talents. The Parliament of Children and Students is actively operating in the oil city. The student team movement is developed in the city, and PSU students actively work on important objects of national significance. The Novopolotsk city organization of the RPO "Belaya Rus" annually initiates the "Victory Marches" formation and song contest. The active longevity project "Institute of the Golden Age" is developing. One of the innovations is the international cultural and humanitarian project "Film Lessons in Schools of the World," which is implemented jointly with the Russian Federation. According to the concept of film lessons, it is planned to show films, each dedicated to a certain moral quality.
A new public project at Gymnasium No. 1 in Novopolotsk, "Fathers and Children's Workshop," has gained significant attention. Its essence is to teach young men practical male skills such as hammering a nail, fixing a chair or faucet, and building a bench. The idea was conceived by Alexander Lukashko, a father of many children.
Public associations BRPО and BRSM play a role in fostering patriotism. Young people initiate and implement numerous social projects, participating in regional and national competitions and campaigns such as "Marathoner's Meeting," "Songs of Victory," "Let's Sing the Anthem Together," "Memory of the Heart," and "Proud of Native Symbols," among others.
The Novopolotsk City Association of Veterans, comprising 43 primary organizations with 11,500 members, serves as a vivid example of true patriotism and love for the Fatherland. Members of the veteran organization are united by their active civic stance, life experience, and wisdom, as emphasized by Nikolai Romanovsky. He also announced that the Novopolotsk City Organization of the ROO "Patriots of Belarus," the youngest public organization in the country, was recently registered by the city executive committee.
Participants of the meeting visited a major industrial facility, the "Polimir" plant of OJSC "Naftan," where they learned about the civic and patriotic education efforts within the workforce. The enterprise organizes field corporate events and patriotic motor rallies to significant military sites across the Vitebsk region on dates such as May 9th and June 22nd. A competition for art design compositions is held among structural divisions. This year, a metal sculpture titled "Bell" was donated to Disna in the Miory district, where it was installed at the site of the execution and burial of Jews.
At the initiative of Polymir employees, the "Clean Games" project is being implemented. Its goal is to encourage Novopolotsk residents to collect garbage in designated areas and to clean up the urban space. According to the "games" rules, garbage is exchanged for points, which in turn can be exchanged for prizes. Over the past two years, three such games have been held. Novopolotsk residents joined the plant employees, and more than 450 project participants collected over 4.5 tons of garbage, the majority of which was sent for recycling. A caring, thrifty attitude towards one's native land is also a manifestation of patriotism.