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Participants of the Union State schoolchildren's Olympiad, jury members, delegation leaders, and organizers laid flowers at the Eternal Flame near the Memorial Complex in honor of the Soviet soldiers-liberators, partisans, and underground fighters of the Vitebsk region.
The students noted that they will always honor the feat of the generation of Victors. The memory of the fallen heroes was honored with a minute of silence.
The second day of the program promises to be eventful. Today, the solemn opening ceremony of the Olympiad "Russia and Belarus: Historical and Spiritual Community" will take place. Then, high school students will continue their preparation for the rounds.
Vasily Rusetsky, Chairman of the Jury:
– This is a key event: by tradition, the Union State Olympiads always begin in such significant places of the cities where they are held. In different years, these were Smolensk, Moscow, Gomel, and Polotsk. For the first time, the Olympiad is being held in Vitebsk. We are indeed in a place that is significant not only for the people of Vitebsk but for all Belarusians – Victory Square. I think it is very important for the younger generation to receive the foundations and bonds that shape their future lives, regardless of what they will do next.
Alina Maslova, Co-chair of the Olympiad, Doctor of Philology, Professor at the N. Ogarev Mordovian State University (National Research University):
– It is very important that the Olympiads of Russian literature begin with such a significant patriotic event – a civic-patriotic action at Victory Square, which contributes to spiritual unity, patriotic education of youth, formation of a civic stance, and strengthening of spiritual and friendly ties between the two closely related Belarusian and Russian peoples. And I am grateful that such a tradition is honored, and young people see how valuable it is for different generations.
Young people who have already demonstrated the best results at regional olympiads and, in the case of Russia, at the All-Russian Olympiad for Schoolchildren have arrived in Vitebsk. The Olympiad for schoolchildren of the Union State is interesting and non-standard. It offers an opportunity to express oneself creatively, orally, and in writing. I believe it is very important for Russian students to experience a new culture. It is important for Belarusians to see different regions of Russia. Therefore, this is a true intellectual celebration of Russian literature. Of course, victories are important, but friendship is also important. Intellectual communication and gaining new knowledge at the excellent master classes organized by the hosts of the Olympiad are important. All of this together shapes the children's worldview and gives them an incentive for spiritual growth.
This is my first time in Vitebsk, but I have been to Belarus before, for example, to Minsk. In a short period, I managed to see the city center. Belarus is very close to my heart; I have relatives in Minsk, so for me, it is a special country, and I have a particularly warm attitude towards the Belarusian people.
Kira Pakhomova had the opportunity to visit Belarus for the first time thanks to the Olympiad. The young woman is among the students representing the Kursk region.
– For me, this is not only an Olympiad but also a great journey. After all, coming to another country is very interesting and educational. I would like to get to know the students from Belarus better (I am sure we will have such an opportunity) to establish contact and continue communicating after the Olympiad.
Yesterday, during an excursion, we walked around the center of Vitebsk. I can say that it is a very beautiful city, especially its center. The scenery is interesting! I particularly liked the Kirov Bridge and the views that open up from it.
Marina Sharoyko, accompanying person and coach of the team from the Krasnodar Territory:
– In recent years, we in Russian schools have held many events with a military-patriotic theme, "Conversations about What Matters," and others. We understand the relevance of history, which is now being distorted by all sorts of means, thanks to the possibilities of the internet. We need to lay the foundation of our memory. The Olympiad is very important in this political context as well.
This is our first time in Vitebsk. The beauty of the city, its cleanliness, and the very friendly people are striking. This is the impression we have from everyone we have had the chance to meet: open souls, smiles, and warmth.