Laying flowers at the memorial, a solemn concert: the celebration of the Day of National Unity ended in Berez

The final of the large-scale two-day celebration of the Day of National Unity in Birch was the laying of flowers at the monument to the victims of the Polish concentration camp by the delegation of the executive and legislative authorities of Brest region and a solemn concert with the symbolic name “In unity is our strength”.

The celebration was attended by Alexander Lomsky, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Belarus – Inspector for the Brest Region, Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Marina Kovalevskaya, the leadership of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, as well as district and city administrations of the region.

- National Unity Day reminds us of the origins of our statehood and the common fate of the Belarusian people. September 1939 was the beginning of a new life. Thanks to the Red Army Liberation Campaign, the people torn in two found their unity. The ban on the native language and the Orthodox faith remains in the past. The brutal exploitation, unemployment and disenfranchisement of Belarusians as second-class citizens were put to an end. Belarus gained access to free medicine and education, was able to realize the talent of an engineer, doctor, scientist. From a backward agrarian outskirts, the region began to turn into a modern industrial center. Historical justice has returned our ancestors the right to live freely on their land, speak their native language and build their future without fear for tomorrow, said the head of the regional council of deputies Marina Kovalevskaya.

In Brest region, almost every family has a story about the years of Polish occupation, a difficult and tragic time that ended for the region 87 years ago. Deputy Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee Viktor Rafalovich shared this story:

My cousin passed through Kartuzskaya. And it was really scary when the big men came back from the concentration camp like skeletons, and the whole village had to nurse them. A lot of people never came home. It is important to remember this tragedy. Today’s holiday, National Unity Day, though young, is very important, especially for the younger generation, which must preserve our sovereignty through the years.

The authors of the script of the concert “In Unity is Our Strength” were able to organically weave tradition and modernity into its program, show the versatility of Belarusian culture. Artists from different parts of Brest region presented the audience with numbers revealing Belarusians as a kind-hearted and tolerant nation, while being able to stand up for itself. Special attention was paid to the traditions of good neighborliness and hospitality.

Loyalty to their home, respect for their ancestors, memory of their exploits and an active desire for a bright future - this is what united the song and dance numbers that put an end to the large-scale celebration of one of the main Belarusian holidays - the Day of National Unity.