Opinions & Interviews

Vytoki festival seen as contributor to regional development

Photo courtesy of NOC of Belarus

ORSHA, 7 June (BelTA) - The Vytoki cultural and sports festival has united sport, culture, education, and industrial enterprises of Orsha District and has thus contributed to the development of the district, President of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee Viktor Lukashenko told the media at the opening of the festival in Orsha on 5 June, BelTA has learned.

“The festival combines physical education, culture and art. The event is held in the Year of People’s Unity, which is also very symbolic. The aim of the festival is to showcase the development of the district and its features. It's not just a sporting event. Seminars and educational programs were held for two days before the official opening. Vytoki [roots in Belarusian] is where it all begins, where everything, culture and sport, have their roots and then slowly, in small steps makes their way towards Olympus. It is a mini-Olympic day of sorts. We specially chose large district centers where probably such holidays are lakcing. Through such events we contribute to the development of the districts," Viktor Lukashenko said.

The NOC president added that he has known Orsha since his childhood, spent a lot of time in the city, and added that the district center has changed significantly over the years and has become more beautiful.

“This pilot project will become an example for the whole region and can be scaled up in other districts. This festival, I believe, has laid the traditions that will continue for many years. The festival has a profound meaning: you cannot raise an athlete without a spiritual heritage and knowledge of history. We need to show the children our origins, our strength points, our culture, spiritual heritage and thus nurture an athlete who will compete for our homeland,” Vitebsk Oblast Governor Nikolai Sherstnev said.

The Vytoki sport and cultural festival took place in Orsha on 3-5 June. The sport, concert and improvised platforms hosted games, competitions, and dance battles. The eventful program of the festival also included exhibitions, presentations, meetings and discussions of innovative projects. A competition for young singers was held on 5 June. The festival visitors were also invited to attend master classes in ancient and modern Belarusian dancing, kettlebell lifting, and take part in sport quests.

The organizers of the Vytoki festival are the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, the Arthaos and BelBrandAudit companies.

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