Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 11 March (BelTA) – We should make every effort to preserve the historical memory of the heroism of the older generations and the cost of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said during his meeting with participants of the Memory Relay campaign to mark the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, BelTA has learned.

“Oblivion and falsification of history lead to irreversible consequences. Those who forget their history will relive it. In this light, it is impossible to overestimate the role of our war veterans. Their stories are a living testimony of that war. They help the younger generations realize the importance of the victory of the Soviet people,” Vladimir Andreichenko noted.

He also emphasized that the importance of the heroic deeds of the Soviet people does not diminish with years. The Great Victory changed the course of world history and gave people back their right to life and freedom, human dignity, and belief in justice. The whole world pays tribute to the memory of those who died in that war. The world powers managed to leave aside their political and ideological differences and join their efforts in the face of the mortal threat. Vladimir Andreichenko pointed out that Belarus believes that all the difficult international problems should be solved through a mutually respectful dialogue and cooperation.

The Memory Relay campaign set off from Minsk on 11 March and will run through the CIS member states. Vladimir Andreichenko is convinced that the race will find support among people. He also said that is it particularly important to involve young people in the campaign as it will encourage them to respect the common history and traditions of other nations.

The Memory Relay campaign has been initiated by the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. It will finish in Saint Petersburg near the Eternal Flame that symbolizes the common memory of the war. Vladimir Andreichenko pointed out that the participants of the campaign include MPs from the CIS member countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, and Tajikistan. In the years of the war they managed to defeat the enemy by their joint efforts. Today the common moral and spiritual values should form the foundation of the mutually beneficial cooperation between the CIS member states, Vladimir Andreichenko emphasized.