Patriotic rally for National Unity Day starts in Brest

The sounds of the orchestra spill over Liberty Square in Brest, where members of patriotic associations and political parties gather at the Liberation monument. Nearby lined up decorated with state symbols cars. In a few minutes, the column will go from Brest to Birch, but first - flowers to the foot of the monument in memory of those who defended the freedom and independence of the Motherland.

Participants of the ceremony lay flowers at the Liberation monument, and then the square is plunged into silence for a minute - the gathered pay tribute to the defenders of freedom and independence of the country. From here, the car column takes a course on the Birch. On the approaches to the city, Brest residents will meet with participants who are coming from Minsk to continue commemorative events for the Day of National Unity.

The starting point was not chosen by chance. Freedom Square received its current name in 1939 after the reunification of Western Belarus and the BSSR. It continues on 17 September Street – the map of the city itself keeps the memory of the event that restored the territorial integrity of the country and reunited one people.

Chairman of the Brest Regional Council of Deputies Marina Kovalevskaya stressed that the Day of National Unity, despite its youth, has already taken an important place in the public life of the country:

- In the life of Belarusians are firmly established dates that we honor and are proud of. Victory Day, Day of the State Flag, State Emblem and National Anthem, Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus. These are holidays suffered by the people, and therefore especially expensive and significant.

But a special place among these holidays took the Day of national unity. It reminds us of the high price our people gained the opportunity to live in a single country, and at the same time turned to the future. Historical experience teaches us to face any challenges together, to show wisdom and to protect what is of lasting value – peace, sovereignty and independence of Belarus.

After the solemn rally, the square is filled with the roar of engines. Participants take seats in cars, flags fly over the column. One moment after another, cars begin to move through the streets of Brest.

However, the rally is not just a bright column of decorated cars. Behind its external dynamics there is a deep meaning: to recall the events of the past and show that today representatives of different parties, public associations and regions of the country are united in their desire to preserve the historical truth.

The head of the Kamenetsky district organization of the republican public association "Patriots of Belarus" Vasily Kulesh draws attention to this:

- National Unity Day unites all parties, regions and the whole country. We need to remember what united the people before and do everything to unite us today. The fact that representatives of different patriotic forces together participate in the rally speaks volumes.

Ahead of the column is the Birch, where the two routes that began in Brest and Minsk will converge. For Brest region, this place has a special historical significance. Here was the concentration camp Berez-Kartuzskaya - one of the most heavy symbols of Polish time. Through it passed the opponents of the then regime, including members of the national liberation movement. Therefore, the road from Brest to Birch on this day is measured not only by kilometers. It passes through historical memory, connecting the past and the present. And the flags flying over the column become a symbol of the main thing - unity in the desire to preserve peace and the truth about the fate of the Belarusian people. The anniversary bike ride “Roads of Memory”, dedicated to the Day of National Unity, gathered hundreds of patriots in Brest