The national awareness raising campaign Belarus United, held in a youth-for-youth format, took place in Orsha on 14 September, BelTA has learned.
Young people at the event were not mere spectators but active participants. They brought apples: some had whole apples, while others had only apple halves. Chairman of the Zhodino City Organization “Patriots of Belarus” Vladislav Smanser and Chairman of the Youth Council of the Belprofmash trade union Anika Abovyan invited the young people to reflect on a simple truth: in life, a whole apple does not simply fall into your hands - it has to be grown from a tiny seed, cared for and protected from winds and bad weather. The participants were reminded that roots are our history, memory, grandparents, their stories, their hands and their love - everything that keeps us grounded and prevents us from forgetting who we are. “The trunk is our support, the home where we are loved and awaited, while the branches are you and me, young and flexible, reaching toward the sun. And the stronger the trunk and the deeper the roots, the higher and farther the branches can grow. A family is not simply a father, mother, and children. A family is the feeling that you are not alone, that you have a reliable shoulder to lean on, and that whatever happens, you will be accepted, understood, and supported,” they said.
The young people were briefed on the history of Belarus and the reunification of Belarusian lands. The students took part in a quiz and answered questions about the country’s history. The event concluded with a performance of a thematic song.
Second-year student Anastasiya Dzyadyuk said that People’s Unity Day makes her think about previous generations who defended their right to determine their own destiny. “I understand that they went through many hardships: tragedies, suffering, and losses. But through the prism of history, we can see their national dignity and the triumph of the human spirit. For me, this is a tribute to those who fought for our future. I am grateful that I can live in an independent and united country. And I feel responsible for preserving this unity for future generations,” she said.
First-year student Timur Sharonin added that the most important thing about the holiday for him is that it is about family. “Belarusians reunited as one big family in their own home. The reunification of Belarusian families and territories in 1939 was an act of historical justice. This is very close and clear to me because family is the main value in life. When families are together, they are strong. The same is true of a nation: when it is united, it is invincible. For me, this holiday is a celebration of family and unity,” he stressed.
“We stood strong in August 2020 and realized the need for a unifying symbol. To me, this is proof that our people are unique and strong. I am proud to live in a country that has managed to preserve its unity and independence,” Anastasiya Bobrik said.
The event also addressed what young people today understand by the concept of homeland. “For me, my homeland begins with small things: the street I walk along to college every day, the voices of my friends in the yard, the smell of bread in the kitchen and the warm light in the window in the evening when someone is waiting for you at home. Homeland is not just a place on a map. It is the people who understand me, the language in which I think and speak, and the traditions passed down from generation to generation. It is the feeling that you are part of something big and important. Being a citizen is not simply living on this land, but also taking care of it: respecting the laws, protecting nature, helping those around you, studying, and working honestly. Loving your homeland is a daily choice in favor of goodness, justice, and responsibility. I believe that the future of our homeland begins with us - with our actions, words and attitude toward those around us,” event participant Varvara Demina said.
