Vitebsk celebrates the Day of the October Revolution: remembrance of the past and honoring contemporaries

On the eve of the October Revolution Day, a celebration took place in Vitebsk, bringing together representatives of the authorities, veterans, and residents of the region. Those gathered paid tribute to historical events and paid special attention to our contemporaries. The focus was on those who demonstrated courage and selflessness in combating natural disasters this year, confirming the relevance of the principles of service to society laid down by the revolutionary era.

– Today, Belarusians are one of the few nations in the post-Soviet space that officially celebrates the October Revolution Day. And this is deeply symbolic. Our country demonstrates respect for its history, regardless of the current political conjuncture. This is a confirmation of our commitment to building a truly people's democracy and a social state. 1917 laid the foundations of a sovereign state. We are not going to abandon all the social achievements of those years, – said the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Dmitry Demidov. – The Great October Socialist Revolution was society's response to the unwillingness of the ruling class elite to solve pressing problems. It brought an improvement in the lives of the working class and the elimination of exploitation. The eight-hour workday, free medical care and education, as well as many other social benefits and rights that seem natural and inalienable to us today, were achieved thanks to the revolution. It opened up scope for the manifestation of the creative forces of the people, and marked the beginning of a new stage in the development of society and civilization. The events of October 1917 became fateful for the Belarusian people. They allowed us to gain our country and formed the foundation for building a strong, sovereign, and independent state, as the Republic of Belarus is today.

The head of the parliamentary corps also noted that after years, the Belarusian people carefully preserve the principles of unity, solidarity, historical, national, and cultural identity. It is this that allowed them to withstand external aggression, preserve statehood, peace, and harmony on Belarusian land. And the ideals of justice, equality, and selfless service to the Fatherland, as before, remain unshakable.

Dmitry Demidov presented honorary diplomas to those who distinguished themselves in eliminating the consequences of natural emergencies, and also awarded those who took an active part in public life and conscientiously worked in state and local government bodies for many years.

The relay of congratulations and awards was continued by the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Dmitry Petrusha. In his speech, he noted that there is still a place for heroism today:

– Life does not stand still, and it constantly proves: there is a place for feats today! This year, as we have seen, has not been easy. Nature tested us for strength, but we were able to give it a worthy response, – Dmitry Petrusha addressed the audience. – Today, I sincerely want to thank everyone who took part in eliminating the consequences of these cataclysms: employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, labor collectives, our citizens.

The theme of cohesion was continued by the Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, Pavel Shikshnyan. He expressed immense gratitude to everyone – employees, services of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, housing and communal services, and ordinary citizens – for their effective work:

— Thanks to our joint efforts and prompt work, we have eliminated the consequences of emergencies. This shows that we, as a nation, as a country, are strong and confident in our future. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the emergency response and congratulate everyone on the upcoming holiday, – emphasized Pavel Shikshnyan.

The First Secretary of the Regional Committee of the BRSM, Zhanna Naritsyna, presented jubilee medals "105 years of the Leninist Communist Youth League of Belarus" to veterans who dedicated themselves to the Komsomol movement in Belarus and are permanent participants in events and actions held by the BRSM.

After the official part and all award ceremonies were completed, the celebration continued with a vibrant concert program.

Invited artists performed military, patriotic, and folk songs, as well as presented dance numbers, creating a solemn and at the same time heartfelt atmosphere.

The concert performances deeply resonated with the historical spirit of the October Revolution Day, reminding of the importance of preserving historical memory and national unity.

"Vitebskiye Vesti"