The anniversary bike ride “Roads of Memory”, dedicated to the Day of National Unity, gathered hundreds of patriots in Brest

The fifth republican cycling rally “Roads of Memory”, dedicated to the Day of National Unity, was organized today, September 16, in Brest by the Belarusian Union of Educational and Scientific Workers. In the city above Bug it is held on such a scale for the first time. Previously, the event was held in each region and the capital separately. Activists drove through iconic places of their city, reports sb.by.

The meeting place is symbolic. About 500 people from Brest and Minsk gathered at the mass grave, where Soviet soldiers and partisans who died during the Great Patriotic War, as well as fighters who died in September 1939 for the reunification of our people, are buried. Here the participants of the Republican cycling rally “Roads of Memory” laid flowers to the obelisk and honored the memory of the heroes with a minute of silence.

- They wanted to divide us. But we cannot be broken because we cherish our country. And we will do everything to ensure that our country only prospers. It all depends on each of us. As soon as the Day of National Unity was announced, the Youth Council of the Belarusian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers came to me with the idea of holding a bike ride along the roads of memory. And today it has grown into such a large event, said Tatiana Yakubovich, Chairman of the Belarusian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers. Everything that is happening around the perimeter of the Republic of Belarus, the geopolitical situation, it tells us that the world is very fragile. And if we don't protect it, everything else could happen again. That's why we drive our memory roads.

The route is about five kilometers. Brest Hero Fortress is among the main locations. Here at the main entrance to the Citadel, the cyclists stopped. Then solemnly walked to the Eternal Flame and paid tribute to the defenders of the Motherland.

- We are grateful to our ancestors for the peaceful sky. We remember their feat and tell our children about it, emphasizes the participant of the bike ride Ekaterina Kovalevich. For me, National Unity Day is primarily a holiday when it is necessary to honor the memory of those who fought for our happy future. I come from the agro-town of Moroch, which is located in the Kletsky district. In 1921-1939 he was on the border. Now there is a street named after September 17. My grandmother lives on it. And such bike rides are not only a healthy lifestyle, it is also our common movement forward. Only together with the development and prosperity of Belarus.

Maxim Meshechko always tries to participate in such events:

- This is not the first time I have supported this bike ride. I like the process – everyone is in a good mood, a friendly atmosphere, a spirit of patriotism. We love our country! We love the place we live in. We value our freedom, our unity! We are proud of what we have today. And we show it to the world. Belarusians are friendly people who want to keep their peace in the country and develop. We preserve and pass on the historical truth, so that children will also know and remember at what price all that is now achieved, so that they will never allow the misfortunes that fell to the lot of our grandparents.

Another stopping point is the Republican Educational and Wellness Center for Patriotic Education of Children and Youth, which is located on the Kobrin Fortification of the Brest Fortress. Here for participants prepared a sightseeing tour.

- National Unity Day is a holiday that reminds us that only together, together, we are able to withstand any challenges. It is a reminder that Belarusians as a single people have come to be through common history, common memory and common destiny. Our bike ride “Memory Roads” works precisely to unite people of different ages and professions for the sake of a common future. Unity begins with the feeling, This is my land. That's my story. This is my country”. And while this feeling is alive, it is impossible to separate us, said Ilya Ogrenich, Deputy Chairman of the Youth Council of the Belarusian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers.