Preparations for the “Memory Train 2026” were discussed in the Council of the Republic: new locations will appear in the project

Opening the meeting, Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic Sergei Aleynik drew attention to the symbolic nature of the project’s start date. This year it will begin on the eve of the 85th anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War. “The common task of the organizing committee and our colleagues from the Federation Council is to provide effective and high-quality preparation,” the senator noted, recalling that the first meeting of the organizing committee took place on February 6 and work in all areas is already actively underway.

Member of the Council of the Republic, project curator Alexander Lukyanov spoke about the high interest of young people in participating in the “Memory Train”. According to him, the project is constantly filled with new initiatives that come from the guys themselves. Participants form a sustainable community by continuing to communicate even after the end of the trip, which takes the action far beyond a simple trip through cities.

During the meeting, it was announced that the geography of the project would be expanded. This year, new locations will be added to the route, including the recently opened Museum of Glory of the Mogilev Region and the Center for Technical Creativity of Children and Youth in Minsk. An important event in the program will be the celebration of Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus. In addition to the formation of a general program of events, the meeting participants discussed in detail the issues of logistics, law enforcement and information support for the action.

Special attention was paid to the equipment of the participants. Deputy Chairman of the Bellegprom concern Natalia Moroz presented clothing samples for the fifth season. The basic collection, developed last year, largely retains the same composition: the set includes a windbreaker, polo, T-shirt, sweatshirt, Panama hat, cap, shopper and backpack. However, the organizers decided to supplement the line with a vest, as well as improve the composition of the products taking into account weather conditions. The color scheme will vary slightly for counselors and children, and there may also be differences by unit.

Deputy Minister of Education Ekaterina Petrutskaya informed about the selection process for future project participants. A republican competition “I am a patriot of my country” is being held in educational institutions, within the framework of which the lucky ones will be determined who will go on a trip. Almost 12 thousand children entered the regional stages, 105 of them will reach the finals. The names of the winners will be announced in early April. “The event is exciting. The best of the best participate. The guys are extraordinary and creative. They know the history of their small homeland, they are real patriots of the country,” the deputy minister noted. The selection of counselors is also carried out on a competitive basis: out of 70 applicants, 15 will be selected.

The trip program, according to the organizers, promises to be eventful. Particular attention is paid to visiting memorial places associated with the events of the Great Patriotic War. The routes also include cultural, historical and industrial sites. Youth forums, flash mobs, creative meetings with actors and writers, as well as open-air film screenings are planned for participants. Ekaterina Petrutskaya expressed confidence that the fifth anniversary event will be remembered by the children, noting the growing interest in the project.

Let us remind you that the “Memory Train” project started in 2022 on the initiative of the heads of the upper houses of parliaments of Belarus and Russia and quickly received a wide response from young people. The action traditionally begins on June 21 at the Brest Hero Fortress memorial complex. During the existence of the project, about a thousand people became its participants. To exchange experiences, meetings and dialogue platforms are regularly held with participants from previous years.