Belarus-Russia military glory rally participants visit Vitebsk

The annual initiative, which brings together participants of all ages, includes visits to sites of military glory in Russia and Belarus. This is not the first time the rally drivers have visited Vitebsk.

“We come here no longer as guests, but as family and close friends. We have visited this regional center many times, including during the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk festival, and we know the city and its landmarks very well. This time, as per tradition, we honored the memory of the liberators of the Vitebsk land,” Asya Kompaniyets, head of the headquarters for the Rostov regional patriotic movement Roads of Glory – Our History, said after laying flowers at the Eternal Flame of the memorial complex in honor of Soviet liberator soldiers, partisans, and underground fighters of Vitebsk Oblast. “Every year, we make sure to visit the Ilya Repin Estate Museum Zdravnevo, near which lies the grave of Soviet intelligence officers who died during the Great Patriotic War.”

Each year, the motor rally expands its route with new locations on the map, drawing more young participants to the initiative. “Over the many years we have been coming to our sweet, beloved brotherly Belarus, we have involved more than 600 young people in the rally. Beyond visiting battle glory sites, we immerse ourselves in the country’s culture, interact with folk artisans, and record local rituals and songs to teach our children and pass on the wealth of Belarusian heritage to the younger generation,” Asya Kompaniyets explained.

The guests also toured the museum dedicated to Hero of the Soviet Union Minay Shmyryov, where they learned about his life, his work as a partisan commander, and the tragic fate of his children, who were executed by the Nazis. For some participants, this came as a profound shock, as many had previously only heard about the legendary partisan through books and movies.

Fourteen-year-old Timur Mustafayev, a participant in the rally and the Diplomacy for Peace children’s project, which is part of the Roads of Glory – Our History regional movement, is visiting Belarus for the first time. “My strongest impressions of Belarusian cities came from Brest and Lida. The Brest Fortress is something colossal. Hearing about the atrocities committed by the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War gave me actual goosebumps. I also really liked the Lida Castle for its unique architecture – I have never seen anything like it anywhere else. In Vitebsk, the Summer Amphitheater was highly impressive. On top of that, I tried Belarusian cuisine and fell in love with draniki. This dish is delicious, and I will definitely make them back home,” the youth said.

Andrei Kompaniyets, a long-time participant in the rally, already knows Belarus quite well. He playfully refers to himself as a “Belorusets” – an invented nationality he came up with as a child and claimed as his own. “I visit your country fairly often, and I notice that it is developing and becoming more beautiful year after year. People are changing too, for the better, I think, but what always remains constant is your kindness. You can approach anyone on the street and chat about anything, including topics related to both Belarus and Russia. A random passerby will always help or give directions if you have questions, and they will never just walk past. Personally, with every rally, I discover more new pages in the history of Belarus, especially regarding the Great Patriotic War. Whenever I visit sites of military glory, I cannot hold back a silent tear,” the young man admitted.