Secondary School No. 46 in Vitebsk was named after twice Hero of the Soviet Union Ivan Bagramyan
A solemn ceremony was held in Vitebsk to name Secondary School No. 46 after the twice Hero of the Soviet Union Ivan Khristoforovich Bagramyan. The event was attended by heads of local authorities, delegations from Vitebsk's twin cities, relatives of the legendary commander, and schoolchildren.
The event hosts recalled that under Ivan Bagramyan's command, the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front liberated over a thousand settlements in Belarus, including Vitebsk. A small concert was organized in front of the school building: drummers marched impressively, and students performed songs and recited poems about the war.
Then, **Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentyev** addressed the attendees.
"Two years ago, a memorial plaque in honor of this legendary military leader was unveiled on Bagramyan Avenue in Vitebsk. And last year, a bust of the hero was installed in Gorodok," he said.
Vladimir Terentyev also spoke about the connection between the education system and Ivan Bagramyan.
"In the post-war years, Ivan Khristoforovich was called the pioneer marshal because he led the military-patriotic game 'Zarnitsa' for many years."
To conclude his speech, Vladimir Terentyev presented an honorary diploma to artist Yuri Dubovsky, the author of the wall graffiti depicting Ivan Bagramyan on the facade of Secondary School No. 46.
The Ambassador of Armenia to Belarus, Armen Gevondyan, emphasized the human qualities of the great commander. He also noted the symbolism of the event.
"Naming the school in his honor is another testament to the sincere and kind attitude towards this outstanding person and a tribute to his memory. It is also a symbol of Armenian-Belarusian friendship."
The commander's grandson, Ivan Sergeevich Bagramyan, who works at Secondary School No. 1222 named after Bagramyan in Moscow, was present at the event.
– My grandfather always said that we won this terrible war because the people of the USSR were not divided by nationalities, but were a united Soviet people, who formed a single fist that was able to crush the fascist beast. As for the current event, it is a great honor that the Ambassador of Armenia to Belarus is participating in it. And I brought books about Ivan Khristoforovich as a gift to Secondary School No. 46. Perhaps they will become the beginning of an exhibition dedicated to him, – Ivan Sergeevich told a correspondent of vitvesti.by.
EVGENY KARPAS, "Vitebskiye Vesti".