A solemn meeting and a festive concert on the occasion of the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia were held at the Vitebsk Regional Philharmonic Hall
On the occasion of the state holiday, a solemn meeting and concert were held at the regional philharmonic hall on April 2. Before the event, the brass band of the Vitebsk garrison performed the State Anthems of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.
The Chairman of the Vitebsk City Council of Deputies, Vladimir Beleevich, addressed the participants of the meeting with a welcoming speech. The head of the deputy corps emphasized that the joint choice of the peoples of the two countries for rapprochement and integration has a historical and socio-cultural basis. For centuries, the Belarusian and Russian peoples have been linked by a common destiny, common ethnic roots, kinship of national characters, culture, and spiritual life.
– The joint struggle against German fascism is a separate chapter in the historical chronicle of the two fraternal peoples. The harsh trials that befell the older generation, the common Great Victory achieved, confirmed the eternal wisdom: our strength is in unity! – said Vladimir Beleevich.
The unique integration union project, as noted by the chairman of the City Council of Deputies, has proven its relevance and viability.
– Over the years of integration, conditions have been created between the countries for the implementation of the principle of equality of socio-economic rights of citizens of the two states, a common labor market has been formed, harmony has been achieved in the legal field in the area of social protection, and migration policy continues to be improved, – emphasized Vladimir Beleevich. – Active interaction is underway in the fields of education, healthcare, culture, sports, and youth policy. The level of regional trade, economic, and scientific-technical cooperation has qualitatively increased.
Thus, Vitebsk has 12 twin and partner cities in Russia, reported Vladimir Iosifovich. The geography of twin and partner relations between the regional center and Russian regions is expanding annually. More than 600 Vitebsk organizations carry out foreign economic activities with 70 regions of Russia.
– Our integration is being tested by global economic instability, a crisis of trust in international relations, the escalation of armed conflicts, and the exacerbation of information wars. In such conditions, close ties between close peoples become especially important, – emphasized Vladimir Beleevich.
A rich concert program was prepared for the participants of the meeting. The audience thanked with thunderous applause both the ensemble of dance, music, and song "Talaka" of the regional philharmonic society, and our guests – Honored Artist of Russia Marina Kurchavova (Pskov), creative teams of the Pskov House of Officers, and Smolensk State University.
