In Glubokoye, two important dates were celebrated: the 610th anniversary of its first chronicle mention and the 80th anniversary of the city's liberation
Igor Kopylov, Director of the Yakub Kolas Institute of Linguistics of the Center for Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, noted that Glubochchyna is a land situated between Polotsk and the Vilnius region, two powerful cultural and educational centers of their time. Our statehood and national theater originated from here. This land nurtured a constellation of famous people, preserved folk traditions and cooking techniques for special dishes such as "maslyany baran" (butter ram), rye bread, and "kletski s dushami" (dumplings with souls). It is a region of unique architectural monuments and, of course, people who wrote history and today research and preserve it.
On this day, the residents of Deepoye discovered numerous facts from the region's history not only thanks to scholars but also to local historians. Representatives of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus awarded the authors of the best works, including ten schoolchildren.
Academician Vladimir Reshetnikov, an honorary citizen of the Deepoye district, spoke about the healing power of his small homeland.
– When I am physically and spiritually tired, I come here to restore my energy, to get a new impetus for research, – explained the academician. – Our family moved here immediately after the region's liberation. My father, a former partisan, was appointed as the first secretary of the district committee of the party. I went to the first grade here, received my first gold medal in life (upon graduation from school). The second one was for scientific activity, for the development of biological science and industry. My roots are here, my pride in the people, their courage, and diligence matured here. All this time, I have maintained ties with my small homeland and its people.
Numerous events, filling two days, were dedicated to the courage and hard work of the people of Glubokoye. At requiem rallies, residents of the region remembered all those who perished in the crucible of war, who, sparing no lives, brought closer the liberation of their native land from the Nazi invaders.
At the "Borok" memorial complex, they proudly recalled that the residents of Glubokoye defended Moscow and Stalingrad, liberated Eastern Europe, and saluted Victory in Berlin.
– We have come here to honor the memory of the heroes who gave their most precious possession – their lives – for the Motherland, for the people, for peace and happiness, – emphasized the Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Alexander Shubsky. – Fewer and fewer veterans and witnesses of those terrible events are among us. Only Nina Kirillovna Telesh and Maria Petrovna Boltushkina, and 19 former prisoners of Nazi concentration camps, are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders with us.
The Chairman of the District Council of Deputies, Vera Telitsa, presented harsh facts from the history of the Second World War and the Glubokoye district specifically.
– If previously there were 17 villages in the Book of Memory – sisters of Khatyn, then today there are already 47. More than 12,000 civilians were shot, and 2,216 were deported to Germany. It is important to remember this and not let history be rewritten, – said the head of the district's deputy corps.
Residents of the district center demonstrated their unity on Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus during a solemn procession. Each collective heard words of gratitude from the district leadership for their achievements. The Deputy Director of the Milk Canning Plant, Irina Vaskovich, emphasized that their team is proud of its products, which have become a brand of the district and are supplied to 15 countries worldwide. The surgeon of the district hospital, Alexey Kabush, spoke about the development of medicine, noting that their Central District Hospital has the status of an inter-district center in many areas, significantly bringing medical care closer to the population.
The hearts of Glubokoye residents were filled with pride as the district's Honour Board was unveiled, adorned with 36 portraits of the district's best workers. New residents received keys to apartments in a new 60-apartment building, a fountain was launched, and people admired paintings gifted by artists from the "Russian Atlantis" association and young students from the local art school for the city's 610th anniversary.
– I am proud of Glubokoye, its history and its people – hardworking, generous, talented, – noted Alexander Shubsky. – I am grateful to fate that together with them I can work for the benefit of the country. Vitebsk region has become my second homeland, and I would like to wish all of us to create, and for this, to strengthen unity and resist external threats. Peace and well-being to all!