75th Anniversary of Victory: How Belarusian Youth Cherishes Memory of Great Patriotic War

When the Nazi German troops invaded the territory of the Soviet Union bringing destruction and death, the citizens of Belarus stood to defend their homeland, manifesting fortitude and bravery, determination and perseverance, indomitable will and commitment to spare no effort for the sake of the noble aim. Heroism of that generation, its highest moral qualities have become the basis of the national identity of the Belarusian people.

Nowadays, when attempts are being made to revise the results of the Second World War, to rewrite the history for the short-term profit, to diminish the merit of some and to embellish the actions of the others, crucially important to convey undistorted memories on those terrible years to our youth – grandchildren of the winners over the Nazism.

In order to bring up the new generation of the Belarusian people in a spirit of faithfulness to their Motherland, the united system of the work with youth was organized in the country. The patriotic program comprises not only the state educational, social, healthcare, sports and culture institutions, but also public organizations, such as “Belarusian Republican Youth Union”, Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, “Belaya Rus”, Belarus Public Association of Veterans, “Belarusian Union of Women”.

The Youth Chamber at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, which was established in 2018, in the run-up to the 75^th anniversary of the Victory initiated a project “Digital Star”. It was designed to accumulate on one portal the information on the memorial places and military graves on the territory of the Union State.

One of the best examples of the use of the social networks to promote patriotic education is the challenge #Беларусьпомнит (#Belarusremembers), launched in the framework of the self-titled Republican project. The users posted the photos of their relatives who helped defeat Nazi Germany and wrote about their contribution.

The Republic of Belarus provides all necessary assistance to the generation of the winners through the patronage system over the Great Patriotic War veterans, labour veterans and former inmates of the concentration camps.

Studying history of the Great Patriotic War is indispensable for the patriotic education of youth: it promotes the national pride, faithfulness to the Motherland and love for one’s fellow-countrymen. At the same time, the memory of the Victory unites us with the other peoples who fought against the Nazism, recalls the high ideals of humanity and the value of peace on Earth.