Vitebsk region intends to strengthen sister city ties with Israel
On the restoration of active cultural dialogue and cooperation in various areas was discussed today at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Vyacheslav Durnov and the Chargé d'affaires of Israel in Belarus Zvi Mirkina.
Sister city agreements with cities in Israel have been established with the regional center and the city of Glubokoye in the Vitebsk region. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted regional contacts. Certain other factors related to the current political situation in Israel also had an impact. At the same time, the Belarusian northern region and Israel have much in common in history and culture, Vyacheslav Durnov is convinced:
- We have many common roots, our cultures are closely intertwined. In the Vitebsk region alone, there are 55 memorial sites related to the tragedy of the Holocaust. It is important to preserve our relationship and mutual understanding for future generations and for the benefit of our peoples.
The Israeli diplomat holds a similar view:
- Any ties are relevant and bring mutual benefit. The more of them there are, the better.
Zvi Mirkina also noted that during his diplomatic mission, he intends to visit the maximum possible number of memorial sites in Belarus related to the events of the Holocaust and the history of the Jewish people:
- This is a very important issue for Israel. Preserving the memory of the Holocaust is one of the main components of Israeli policy. In addition, in my previous positions, I was heavily involved in literature, so I intend to focus on similar projects in the future. For example, a project to translate one of the largest contemporary Israeli novels into Belarusian is currently being completed. We are approaching this project very carefully.
Zvi Mirkina arrived in the Vitebsk region for a two-day visit. The main reason is to participate in a ceremony dedicated to the International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust. The plans also include meeting with the leadership of the region and the city, visiting the local Jewish community, and presenting a special medal of the Righteous Among the Nations to a family.of a local resident who saved two Jewish children during the Great Patriotic War.
Sister city agreements with cities in Israel have been established with the regional center and the city of Glubokoye in the Vitebsk region. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted regional contacts. Certain other factors related to the current political situation in Israel also had an impact. At the same time, the Belarusian northern region and Israel have much in common in history and culture, Vyacheslav Durnov is convinced:
- We have many common roots, our cultures are closely intertwined. In the Vitebsk region alone, there are 55 memorial sites related to the tragedy of the Holocaust. It is important to preserve our relationship and mutual understanding for future generations and for the benefit of our peoples.
The Israeli diplomat holds a similar view:
- Any ties are relevant and bring mutual benefit. The more of them there are, the better.
Zvi Mirkina also noted that during his diplomatic mission, he intends to visit the maximum possible number of memorial sites in Belarus related to the events of the Holocaust and the history of the Jewish people:
- This is a very important issue for Israel. Preserving the memory of the Holocaust is one of the main components of Israeli policy. In addition, in my previous positions, I was heavily involved in literature, so I intend to focus on similar projects in the future. For example, a project to translate one of the largest contemporary Israeli novels into Belarusian is currently being completed. We are approaching this project very carefully.
Zvi Mirkina arrived in the Vitebsk region for a two-day visit. The main reason is to participate in a ceremony dedicated to the International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust. The plans also include meeting with the leadership of the region and the city, visiting the local Jewish community, and presenting a special medal of the Righteous Among the Nations to a family.of a local resident who saved two Jewish children during the Great Patriotic War.