Development of Patriotic Tourism in CIS Countries Discussed In Minsk

A round table titled “Patriotic Tourism and Cooperation of CIS States in Preserving Memory and Educating Future Generations” was held at the Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War History within the framework of the International Tourism Forum Travel Hub “Commonwealth”.

The discussion was moderated by Head of the National Center for Historical Memory under the President of the Russian Federation Elena Malysheva. Opening remarks were delivered by Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Inna Svyatenko.

She noted that patriotic tourism should build on successful initiatives such as the cultural and educational project “Train of Memory”, launched by Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council Valentina Matvienko, and Speaker of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova. Over four years, 800 school students from 15 former Soviet republics have visited historical battle sites.

Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy presented the international cultural and educational forum “Children of the Commonwealth”, organized by the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS. A greeting message was also sent by Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Alexey Shevtsov.

Director of the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War Vladimir Voropaev highlighted the museum’s patriotic initiatives and its role in preserving historical memory.

Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Karim Khandzheza and Director of the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic Erdenet Kasymov shared national experience in patriotic tourism and historical heritage preservation.

Following the discussion, participants agreed to develop a unified database of patriotic routes across CIS Member Nations, promote exchange of methodological materials between museums and tour operators, and explore a joint program supporting youth patriotic tourism. The use of the IPA CIS potential for promoting historical and cultural initiatives at the parliamentary level was also proposed.

Forum participants also paid tribute to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Victory Monument in Minsk.

Speaker of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova met with participants of the forum, including Inna Svyatenko, Dmitriy Kobitskiy, and Yelena Malysheva. She emphasized the long-standing strategic partnership between friendly countries and noted tourism as a key development priority for Belarus, expressing confidence that the forum would contribute to advancing historical, cultural, religious, industrial and medical tourism.