Time-tested unity: what was said in the Ministry of Forestry

Why is September 17 not just a date on the calendar, and how does a "sleeping cop" in the yard relate to big politics? This was not only discussed at the meeting of the Chairman of the Minsk City Council Artem Tsuran with employees of the Ministry of Forestry on September 10. Details - in the material of the correspondent of the agency "Minsk-Novosti".

Within the framework of a single day of information, a lively and meaningful conversation took place within the walls of the Ministry of Forestry. The speaker was A. Tsuran, who did not limit himself to simply covering the topic “Day of National Unity as a Factor of National Pride”, but offered to look at history through the prism of today.

Historical Excursion: From Bans to Freedom

The Chairman of the Minsk City Council started with the main thing: we do not have many public holidays that reflect fundamental milestones in history. September 17 is in line with Victory Day and Independence Day.

- This is a landmark date, the speaker stressed. In 1939, the reunification of the BSSR and Western Belarus began.

In order for the attendees to feel the scale of the tragedy that preceded this event, Tsuran recalled the times of Polish expansion. Back then, in the 1930s, there were no works in the Belarusian language, no newspapers, everything was done to eradicate the Belarusian nation. People could not live and develop on their land as they wanted.

- Since September 17, 1939, all Belarusians have had the opportunity to build their own independent state, the head of the Minsk City Council emphasized. A broad national liberation movement has developed on the territory of Western Belarus. People of different political views united to defend their national self.

The results of this unity, according to the speaker, are amazing. Just a year and a half (!) after the reunification in the western regions of the BSSR there were huge changes. Industry almost doubled, unemployment was eliminated, and medicine became free. If in 1938 there were about 80 hospitals, by the end of 1940 — already 243. This is the power of unity that has allowed us to move forward.

Youth, parking and Iskra

From history, the speaker smoothly moved to modernity. Tsuran noted that meetings of deputies with collectives are held regularly, and this is not a formality, but an opportunity to compare hours.

Speaking about the youth policy in Minsk, he noted the active development of public organizations and parties. Particular attention was paid to the youth wing of Iskra under the Republican party “White Rus” and the Youth Council under the Minsk City Council. To support young personnel there is a competition “Best young specialist”. Plans for the development of the capital are discussed openly, and young people take a direct part in this.

Questions that concern everyone

The most interesting part of the meeting is dialogue. Ministry officials asked questions: one concerned the installation of a “sleeping policeman” in the yard of a newly commissioned house. Parents of children sound the alarm because of the intensity of traffic in the yard. A. Tsuran took this issue under personal control for study.

Another employee asked what is being done in the city to solve the problem of parking cars in the yards. The MP explained the possible options, stressing that this topic is under constant control.

There was also a request for help in accelerating the installation of traffic lights at one of the schools of the capital.

Summing up, Alexander Tsuran noted that in 2026 Belarus will celebrate the Day of National Unity for the sixth time, and every year its importance becomes more obvious.

- Our ancestors in the 1930s managed to rebuff Polish expansion, the speaker recalled. The reunification of the Belarusian lands in 1939 is one of the key events in the fate of our people. For all who have lived and will live on this land, a free, strong and prosperous Belarus has always been and remains the highest value. This is the solid foundation of our unity.

Photo by Diana Shabala