Alexander Subbotin: The Belarusian people's aspiration for independence is the core that strengthens the nation
Victory Square is crowded on Independence Day. Traditionally, it hosts the main celebrations. They started at the memorial complex in honor of the Soviet soldiers, partisans, and underground fighters of the Vitebsk region. Representatives of the regional and city leadership, the deputy corps, public associations, departments, clergy, youth, and schoolchildren laid flowers and wreaths at the Eternal Flame. The memory of the defenders was honored with a minute of silence.
In his welcoming address, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin noted that every nation has fateful days and events that mark the beginning of a new stage in history, cause spiritual upliftment, and unite citizens. "July 3, 1944, became such a date in the Belarusian calendar. We celebrate the liberation of our capital from the Nazi invaders as the main state holiday of the independence of the Republic of Belarus," he emphasized. "The aspiration of our people for independence is the core that gives strength and strengthens the nation. We have had to defend our land for many years. Despite various political upheavals, the Belarusian people have endured and have not disappeared from the historical stage. Belarus faced the greatest trials during the Great Patriotic War. Humanity has not known such atrocities as were committed then. The struggle for every inch of native land and the road to the victory salute were unimaginably difficult."
The head of the northern region recalled the punitive operations to destroy civilians, which swept through the Vitebsk region during the war. In particular, "Cottbus" in the Dokshytsy district, when 99 villages were wiped off the face of the earth, and thousands of people were killed. "In the village of Shunevka, the Nazis coolly took the lives of 66 civilians. Among them were 15 children, the eldest of whom was only 6 years old. Adults were herded into a barn and set on fire. Those who tried to escape from a terrible death were caught by the bullets of the punishers. Executioners threw small children alive into a well. One of the cruelest and bloodiest was the punitive operation with the blasphemous name "Winter Magic", which was carried out in the north of the Vitebsk region, and adjacent territories of Russia and Latvia. The Nazis left behind scorched earth. The current Verkhnedvinsk district was practically depopulated," said Alexander Subbotin.
In his opinion, these facts are not random episodes of the war, but evidence of the targeted policy of genocide that the Nazis carried out against the population of Belarus. "Fascism brought destruction, condemned millions of people to death, but not to oblivion. Stern monuments and mass graves, memorial complexes and the Eternal Flame are rightfully considered people's shrines," the governor noted. - They testify to the greatness of the feat. It is our honor to maintain the places of military glory in proper condition. It is noteworthy that it was in the Year of Historical Memory that they became objects of our special care. In the Vitebsk region, over 180,000 surnames of the fallen are inscribed on memorial plaques. The memory of those who gave us freedom and independence lives in our hearts."
Along with their parents, schoolchildren and very young children joined the celebration. Soon they will have to continue the glorious tradition and pass on the great memory to future generations. In the meantime, they are absorbing knowledge and love for their family history, becoming part of a grand celebration. "We come here with a sense of awe every year. For our family, this is a special day, just like May 9th. My grandmother is a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, she tells many stories. She worked in military hospitals from the age of 14. Her father was in Kurmelev's partisan detachment under the command of Shmyrev. They blew up railways and bridges," shared Elena Rakhmanova, who came to the celebration with her school-aged daughter. "We preserve and pass on our entire family history to our children. I believe that children should be instilled with this memory and love for their homeland from infancy, so that they understand the effort it took for us to have a peaceful sky."
For residents and guests of the city, musical and entertainment programs were organized on Independence Day. Interactive platforms started working in the morning. In the evening, the largest square in Belarus will also become the epicenter of celebrations in Vitebsk. At 9:00 PM, it will be filled with music again – the first chords of the concert "Belarus Spevnaya" will sound. And closer to 11:00 PM, the number of artists will significantly increase – spectators will join the "Let's Sing the Anthem Together" campaign. A grand finale to Independence Day will be a fireworks display, which will paint the festive sky over Vitebsk with all sorts of patterns.