In Vitebsk, a public garden was created and a memorial sign was erected with donations from city residents

A memorial sign with the inscription "June 26 Square - in honor of the liberation of the city of Vitebsk from the Nazi invaders" has appeared in the courtyard formed by four residential buildings on 26 Iyunia, Mira, 26, and Berestenya streets, 7.

The opening of the sign in the courtyard was crowded. Employees of ZhEU-14, led by head Vasily Zenko, and residents of the houses, along with enthusiast Tamara Barbashina, gathered. It is thanks to her that a new square has appeared in Vitebsk.

All these years, residents and utility workers have maintained the square, which had no official name, in good condition. Pedestrian paths were laid out and asphalted, children's equipment, a sandbox, a basketball court, and a tennis table were installed. In winter, an ice rink is flooded - there are always many children in the courtyard. Residents, led by Tamara Barbashina, arranged a rock garden and, with their own money, installed a flower bowl in the shape of a fountain.

And now the square has appeared officially, and its improvement will continue.

- Our courtyard has its own history. On June 26, 1944, the liberation of Vitebsk began from this part of the city - and the street was subsequently named June 26. Although it is small, its history is significant. After the war, famous fellow countrymen often gathered in our courtyard - partisan commanders Daniil Raytsev and Minay Shmyrev, shares Tamara Barbashina. - The land reclamation office was located here, headed by Daniil Raytsev. They sat on this huge stone, smoked, and made plans.

We, teenagers under ten years old, used to climb into the deep shell craters, there were many of them in the courtyard. In the spring, they filled with water to such an extent that parents were afraid we would drown. Then a repair station for "Moskvich" cars appeared in the courtyard. The stone was moved aside and buried.

When it was decided to build houses in the courtyard in 2002, the residents objected and began to express requests at all levels to suspend construction. After an appeal to the chairman of the city executive committee Viktor Nikolaykin, the city council decided to officially name our square.

Residents collected donations to install a memorial sign with the name of the square. That's when they remembered the famous stone. The companies "Vitgran" and "Briz" provided feasible sponsorship. In a word, the whole community did a good deed. The city not only got another well-maintained green space, but also immortalized a historical place.

Elena Bashun, "Vitbichi"