Student Youth Forum in Brest brings together participants from Belarus and Russia

A large-scale forum of student youth is held in Brest - Republican Student Days "I cherish Belarus: I study here, I live here, or Youth Workshop". This bright event unites students from different cities and countries, creates a space for dialogue, creativity and patriotic inspiration.

The organizer is Brest Pushkin State University, which first implemented this initiative in 2022 with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus. Over the years, the project has become a tradition, received positive feedback and gained international status thanks to the participation of Russian students.

The semantic basis of the forum and its contribution to the strengthening of common values was outlined by the rector of BSU named after A. S. Pushkin Yuri Golubev:

- Today we live under a peaceful sky, confidently building the future, and this is the character of our people, forged in trials. The desire to live in one country, to feel like Belarusians was an important step towards independence. This year, representatives of 14 universities from all regions of Belarus and Pinsk College of Brest State University named after A. S. Pushkin gathered here. A delegation of the Volgograd State Social and Pedagogical University also joined us. The program is full of coworkings, creative projects, cultural events. Every year we try to bring something new to the project.

The solemn opening of the forum took place in the memorial complex “Brest Hero Fortress” and included flower laying ceremonies and excursions.

It is in this atmosphere that the connection of generations is particularly clearly felt, which was reflected in the words of Tatiana Yakubovich, Chairman of the Belarusian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers:

- We are in a sacred place on the eve of National Unity Day. There were times in history when the Belarusian language was banned and the people were deprived of the right to vote. But the wise Belarusian people managed to preserve their identity. Today we understand the importance of the youngest holiday in our country. It was only a few years ago, but the people of Belarus loved it. Students are a part of society that lives in a beautiful, well-groomed, prosperous country. Our task is to convey truthful information about the tragic pages of history so that no one tries to rewrite it.

After the official part, the forum moved to the format of live communication, becoming a platform for new acquaintances and exchange of views. 3rd year student of BSU Roman Jacques noted:

- It is very important that such events are held in our country. They unite students, give an opportunity to get to know each other, to see how we are different and how we are similar. This helps to establish contacts and strengthen friendly ties. I am sure that after the forum, the guys will maintain communication, make new acquaintances all over the country.

For some participants, this forum was a special experience. So, a 4th year student of Polesie State University Daria Vasilyuk first came to Brest for student days and shared her impressions:

- We were greeted very pleasantly and warmly: volunteers pay maximum attention, help and guide. As the head of the delegation, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of organization – everything goes exactly according to the program, without delays, which creates a comfortable atmosphere. Yesterday we visited a tour where the guide spoke about Brest as a tolerant city, for which unity is a fundamental value that goes through the centuries. We students from Pinsk fully agree: National Unity Day is not just a date in the calendar, it is a holiday that lives with us every day.

1st year Master student of Volgograd State Social and Pedagogical University Angelina Valueva also participates in the Republican Student Days for the first time. She shared her heartfelt impressions:

- The first thing I want to say is the words of great gratitude to the Belarusian land, Brest. We are very happy to be here, it is a really valuable experience. We stand on a heroic land, a land soaked in blood. And here it is especially important to remember our ancestors, who together forged victory. We came from the heroic city of Volgograd, where there was a radical change in the Great Patriotic War. And today we are in another heroic place – in Brest, the city-fortress, which was the first to take a terrible blow and where, one might say, the heroism of the Soviet and Belarusian soldiers was laid. It is very important for us to pay tribute to memory, respect and admiration. We want to show that we remember, are proud and sincerely grateful to the Belarusian land for the fact that it welcomed us, surrounded us with care and treated us like relatives.

Ahead of the participants – a rich program: coworkings, master classes, photo contest “We are together!” and musical and entertainment performances. The holiday will end on September 17 with the contest “We are united”, where students will present creative projects of patriotic orientation.