A chance to feel connected. Marathon "17 Facets of Unity" ended in Minsk

A large-scale socio-political marathon “17 Facets of Unity” was held on the eve of the National Unity Day. A series of shares in the capital ended on September 16 in the shopping center "Pershy natsyanny gandlyov house", the correspondent of the agency "Minsk-Novosti".

The marathon has already covered 16 locations across the country. The final point, the 17th in a row, was traditionally Minsk. On Wednesday, the metropolitan area gathered about 600 people.

Natalia Voronova, Chairman of the Minsk City Organization of Belaya Rus, noted that this year the format of the festival has changed significantly. If earlier the work was carried out mainly at dialogue platforms, in labor collectives, at enterprises and organizations, now elements of the youth festival movement have been introduced.

- There are sports and playgrounds at the event, so everyone finds an occupation for their interests. This led to a huge increase in the number of participants, said N. Voronova. The event is held under the motto “Youth for Youth”. We give young people the opportunity to express themselves and talk about their ideas, working on an equal footing with professional media experts. Everyone can reveal their understanding of national unity.

For guests of the festival there were nine unique interactive locations - one from each district. Among them are the joint exhibition of the Institute of History of the NAS and the Minsk organization “White Russia” “Our Way to Unity”, the mini-festival of national cultures “Rhythms of the World”, competitions, quizzes. It was also possible to try the products of leading Belarusian enterprises.

Of particular interest was the interactive zone of the Moscow district. Foreign students of BSMU prepared an information stand dedicated to the traditions and culture of their countries - India and Sri Lanka. The girls talked about religious diversity, national cuisine, helped try on traditional saris and costume jewelry, painted mehndi.

The partisan district presented the author’s game “Kroki native of Stalin”. The organizers invite participants to remember the iconic places and objects of Minsk. The player’s task is to pick up the flag and fix it correctly on the city map. There are prizes for correct answers.

The main venue of the festival was the stage on which the political stand-up took place. Young activists and experienced speakers spoke about the key meanings of unity. It was attended by Deputy Chairman of the NGO “Belaya Rus” Andrei Basak, Head of the Main Department of Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Minsk City Executive Committee Alexander Lukyanov, Belarusian political scientist and publicist Andrei Lazutkin, political columnist of “Capital Television” Grigory Azarenok, as well as young representatives of various enterprises and organizations of the capital.

- The main purpose of such meetings is not only to work with an already interested audience, but also to attract those who have not yet fully understood the role and significance of National Unity Day. Today, we will deal with these 17 facets of unity with young people and visitors. To answer questions, to seek the truth together, when in fact it lies on the surface. Our unity is to never repeat the division of our people and our lands and, of course, to be committed to a common future, Lukyanov said.

According to one of the speakers, the head of the sector for ideological work of the Belarusian Press House Anton Pavliev, after all that Belarus has experienced during the war, unity for Belarusians is not just words. It means something to everyone.

- For me, unity means being close to family, relatives and colleagues. Together, we will do everything possible to ensure that our country continues to flourish and become even better. This is our relationship with other people. Belarusians are a peaceful people, we must treat each other with understanding and care, always be ready to help. It is this mutual assistance that guests of the country and the capital appreciate when they come to us, says A. Pavliev.

Elena Parkhom, an English teacher at BSUIA, said that National Unity Day is not just a holiday for her, but an occasion and an opportunity to feel unity. She is inspired by the fact that completely different people, representing a variety of fields of activity, gathered here for one reason - to feel one.

- National Unity Day is a very important holiday for our country. I believe that Belarus should be united, and people should be united, because without this we will not be able to build our future, said Ivan Pinchuk, a student of BSATU. Glad to be a part of such a big event.

Photo by Denis Kulagi