In Vitebsk, Russians took part in the project «Living Memory of Grateful Generations»
The events, held as part of the campaign "Children of Belarus – to Veterans and Future Generations," were launched with a meeting at VSU named after P. Masherov with the initiator of the project, Alexey Talai. Representatives from the Vitebsk, Pskov, and Smolensk regions took part in it.
– On April 2, 1996, the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union of Belarus and Russia was signed. While remaining independent sovereign countries, we are building a unique state entity – the Union State, which should serve to create favorable conditions for the lives of our citizens, strengthening economic and defense potential, – emphasized the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, Dmitry Demidov. – It is very pleasant that on this important holiday for our states, delegations from Russian regions – Pskov and Smolensk regions – have come to Vitebsk. And it is doubly pleasant that it is on this date, in the northern capital, that we are completing the project "Living Memory of Grateful Generations." The project, initiated by Alexey Talai, is aimed at immortalizing the memory of our valiant ancestors who defended the freedom and independence of our peoples, and ensured our opportunity to live, work, and raise children in an independent, peaceful, free country. Therefore, it is very symbolic that today we are summarizing the results of this campaign together. This once again shows that we value our common history, and are building a common present and future for our grandchildren and children.
Alexey Talai noted that the Vitebsk region has been very active in the project, which he is very proud of, as the northern region is his small homeland.
– It is gratifying that on the eve of the holiday, we received coins from the President of Russia, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, which were delivered by his press secretary Dmitry Peskov. He expressed words of support, noting that this is indeed an important project that has become all-Union, with a large number of residents from both countries participating – from Brest to Vladivostok. As noted by the President of Belarus, Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko, everyone joined in creating a monument in honor of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers, the hero-victors, who defended the right to life for our peoples on their land, – emphasized Alexey Talay. – On May 9, at Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow, on the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, we will publicly unveil the monument "Living Memory of Grateful Generations."
Chairman of the Smolensk Regional Duma, Igor Lyakhov, said that the project "Living Memory of Grateful Generations" has found a great response among the residents of the Smolensk region. They collected over 300 kilograms of coins.
– We did not expect such a stir. Searchers, veterans, youth, and even those citizens who had never participated in political actions before joined the campaign. At my request, Alexey Konstantinovich Talay gave a lecture to our students about the most important thing – the love of life, the very strength that became the basis of our Victory in 1945, – emphasized Igor Lyakhov.
Deputy Chairman of the Pskov Regional Assembly of Deputies, Armen Mnatsakanyan, noted that the unity demonstrated today by the Belarusian and Russian peoples is an example for other states.
– Belarus has become my small homeland. I served here in Soviet times, and I gladly participate in meetings at the Mound of Friendship, and I am very glad that our peoples continue to preserve the history of our states, preventing its revision, – emphasized Armen Mnatsakanyan. – It is very important and significant for me that today, on the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia, I am here. Such events unite peoples and are an example of how, by uniting, we can do good and kind deeds.
On this day, a meeting-training with Alexey Talai: "Lessons of Courage. Spiritual and Moral Education of Youth" was also held at OJSC "Vitebsk Carpets", and an event dedicated to the transfer of collected coins by the Vitebsk branch of Belarusian Railway to the regional branch of the Alexey Talai Foundation took place inside the Vitebsk railway station building.