Train to the future

from Belarus (magazin#8 2021)

Vera Polyakova: "I am a human-creator"

The Republican youth train "#BelarusYouthUnity" created as a result of the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia has covered 2,000 kilometres all over Belarus this summer. Its participants – students, working and rural young people, young deputies, volunteers, teachers, bloggers, and the SDC youth ambassadors – spent seven days in the thematically decorated carriages visiting various parts of Belarus. With the sound of wheels they discussed various pressing issues: from patriotic education of youth to implementation of socially significant initiatives. Residents of Novosibirsk Region of Russia, as well as Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, also took part in the project. So, the project can be safely called international.

Its organizers – including the Ministry of Education, Minsk City Executive Committee, Belarusian Railways, and the Belarusian Republican Youth Union – say the project was born spontaneously. Several years ago, during the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, the participants suddenly had an idea: why not to travel by rail from Brest to Vladivostok? However, when the summer of 2020 came, it became clear that this voyage would not become international for the time being. But it will be a republican one. So the first youth train called "#BelarusYouthUnity" started its seven-day journey through all the regions of Belarus on July 17, 2020. Why? It was decided in this non-standard way to contribute to unification of the youth of the Union State. And, of course, to influence the formation of a positive image of the country, to raise the civil and patriotic spirit of youth. That is, in fact, the main idea and the super task of the project.

Any adult Belarusian under 31 could take part in the second Republican Youth Train this year. It was enough to apply and describe one's achievements in education, science, sport, culture, or social activities. There were 200 applications, of which 100 participants were selected. Among others was Viktoriya Mekhedko, Deputy Chairperson of the national creative youth public association "Promotion of Youth". This organisation is dedicated to developing the creative potential of young people, and aims to involve them as much as possible in the social life of the country. And also to inculcate a love of their homeland, and to honour traditions. An important role, according to Victoria, they give to the preservation of historical

truth about the war. And they also focus on healthy lifestyles among young people and contribute to strengthening relations between Slavic peoples.

Judging by the photos and videos that Victoria generously shared on her Instagram, the programme of the sevenday tour was very rich. So after returning to the capital, I immediately invited her to a meeting. After all, as you know, the first impressions are the brightest. – Our voyage started from Grodno. After organizational matters, namely: arrival, accommodation of participants, meeting we were immediately invited on an evening sightseeing of Grodno. We were entertained by an intellectual quiz and a dance and entertainment program especially for participants of the project "Grodno – Youth Capital". We started driving around only on the second day and went straight to the local zoo. I am very fond of animals, so such a nice start of the trip was very helpful to get the bearings and tune in a positive mood. After the zoo we went to improve the alley planted by the participants of the last year's project "Republican Youth Train #BelarusMoladzNatkhnenne". Little by little the project picked up speed, allowing the participants, as they say, to get into the track. And then – where only we were! We visited the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, St. John's Lutheran Church, the House-Museum of of Eliza Ozheshko... We laid flowers on the common grave of Soviet soldiers and partisans. The ceremony of handing over the State Flag of Belarus to the participants of the youth train as part of the national campaign "Symbols of My Country" was very touching. At such moments you feel yourself an inseparable part of the whole, you feel personally responsible for what is happening. Later we had an open dialogue "Youth: Realities of Today" with famous people of Grodno Region and outstanding athletes. – And all of these things you just listed happened on the same day?

It is pleasant to admire the landscapes of Belarus to the sound of wheels

– Yes! And, I should point out, I didn't list all of the active first day's items! There was also a night parade of the youth train participants on electric scooters. And even the departure of the train took place in a festive atmosphere. – Where did we go then? – To Polotsk. There we took part in the charity action "Restoration of the sanctuaries of Belarus", and after it – in an open dialogue "Youth. Enlightenment. Unity". We had an excursion to the Spaso-Euphrosyne Stauropegic Convent. Many know about it, but not everyone has been there. So for some people it was a pleasant bonus. The next point in our busy program is a meeting and laying of flowers at Urochishe Peski memorial complex. And, of course, we walked around historical Polotsk, where we found the geographical centre of Europe. – During the youth tour you met with the authorities, as far as I know? – That's right. We had an open dialogue with the Minister of Education of Belarus and the Minister of Education of Novosibirsk Region. Some of the participants were just from there. It took place in Vitebsk on the 17th of July. – Just those days the XXX International Festival of Arts "Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk" was held there. You didn't go there? – We took part in the closing ceremony of the Youth Days and awarded the winners of the national festival-contest "Flame of Youth Talents". So, we can say that we "breathed" the air of the competition and soaked up the festival atmosphere that was in Vitebsk in those days. – What day was the most eventful and memorable? – It's a difficult question, because we were busy from morning till night, every day. It started traditionally with a rally and the laying of flowers at monuments. Then in Gorki, for example, we visited the agro-industrial resource centre... And in Petrykiv we got to the mining and processing enterprise "Belaruskali". I took so many photos there! And I took a "piece of memory" – a pebble. It is unbelievable emotions: when you see with your own eyes what you heard or saw on TV. You experience things in a completely different way when you can touch them with your own hands. In general, in each city we visited historical cultural sites and places of remembrance. Everywhere, we had open dialogues with representatives of the local authorities where we discussed pressing issues of human resources policy, labour, and maintaining unity in our multi-polar world. Even the army and the defence of the country were discussed. For instance, in Maryina Gorka – the military unit of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Belarus. – Victoria, did you like it? Would you like another good trip like that? – Yes, of course! I am with both hands in favour! I am convinced that such projects should be, and they should be created as much as possible. Because it's not only educational and fun (although sometimes sad). It really brings us, the youth, together. And not only young people, it seems to me. When we do something together, it can't help but unite. You feel yourself a part of the whole, as I said before. You feel involved in a global process. You do not just hear the phrase: "we are the future", "our future begins today". It really is! I want to back up my thoughts with the words of Deputy Minister of Education Alexander Kadlubay. He said it was extremely symbolic that in the Year of National Unity the Republican Youth Train brings together young people from all regions of the country. After all, we had a slogan "Belarus. Youth. Unity". – In Minsk, in the National Flag Square, in a solemn atmosphere, I know, Education Minister Igor Karpenko presented certificates to each of the participants. The event was covered in the media... – Yes! Now I have another certificate, which will take a prominent place in my collection of diplomas and certificates. But seriously, I am inspired and fired up with new ideas. So there is something to do at work, in my association "Promotion of Youth".

By Alisa Gungor