VICTORY DAY: Belarus Remembers

Belarus celebrates the Day of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It is a special holiday that every Belarusian family holds dear. It combines joy and sorrow. It is an eternal reminder of the value and importance of peace.

Following the established tradition the country’s key festivities began in the very heart of the Belarusian capital – in Victory Square near the obelisk that has stood for many years as a reminder of the most tragic war in the history of Belarus.

Thousands of Belarusians of various generations have been gathering near Victory Monument since early morning. They carried portraits of the heroes, who are no longer with us, portraits of war veterans and their own relatives as a tribute of remembrance and respect for those, who did not spare their lives to protect the native land decades ago.

Accompanied by sounds of a march, the symbol of the Banner of Victory and standards of the four fronts that liberated Belarus from the Nazi invaders were brought in. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony involving the head of state followed. Alexander Lukashenko addressed the nation with a congratulatory speech and declared a minute of silence in memory of the fallen heroes.

Wreaths were laid at the Victory Monument on behalf of all branches of the Belarusian government, public organizations, the diplomatic corps, and the clergy.

Victory Day also represents a culmination of the largest patriotic initiatives. This year for the first time the action Belarus Remembers has united the entire country: hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets carrying portraits of their relatives, who took part in and witnessed that dreadful war. Belarus remembers names and deeds of the heroes and does not forget the sorrow of losses. Belarus knows the true value of the victory. The Great Patriotic War is not only part of the country’s history, it is part of every Belarusian family’s history…

For the second year in a row the grandiose youth action Flowers of Great Victory has taken place in Belarus. Its symbol – an apple tree flower with a band of the Belarusian flag – reminds of the blossoming May of 1945 and the Great Victory, thanks to which modern independent Belarus became possible.