Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

The national athletics competition Orsha Half Marathon will bring together athletes and running enthusiasts from Belarus, Russia, Lithuania and Armenia, BelTA learned from the Orsha sports and tourism department.

The races will take place on 24 September. The participants will start in Lenin Street. Everyone who has applied on the website of the Belarusian Athletics Federation will be able to compete in the 7km and 21km races. The half marathon is organized by the Belarusian Athletics Federation, the Sports and Tourism Ministry and Orsha District Executive Committee.

Athletes aged 10 and up will be able to join the 7km run, and athletes aged 15 and up will be allowed to run 21km. Very young participants together with their loved ones will be welcomed at the family run for the prizes of the local newspaper, while kids aged 8-13 will be invited to run a relay race. According to the organizers, the relay race will diversify the competitions and make them more interesting and spectacular. The school, taking the first place in the team event, will get a challenge cup of the Orsha District Executive Committee chairperson.

According to the sports and tourism department, more than 200 people have already applied for the participation in the main races. These are residents of Belarusian cities, Russia's Moscow and St. Petersburg, Lithuania's Vilnius and Armenia's Maralik. The registration for Orsha Half Marathon will end on 23 September.

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Belarusian Voyage trains are to become regular, head of Belarusian Railways Vladimir Morozov said on the air of the STV TV channel, BelTA informs.

“In the 2022-2023 season, we are considering launching more trains to Anapa and Adler, as well as Murmansk. In addition, it is planned to launch direct trains to Pskov,” Vladimir Morozov said.

According to the head of Belarusian Railways, there plans to operate the Belarusian Voyage trains on a permanent basis: “There will be three trips before New Year, and more trips during New Year holidays.”

The upgrade of the rolling stock used for domestic services is also under discussion. “This is not an easy task. Now there are not many manufacturers who can offer rolling stock specifically for short-distance economy class services. Yet, we need to find an alternative, because trains are getting worn out, and they will need to be replaced in the near future,” Vladimir Morozov added.

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Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi met with First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Ivan Melnikov in Moscow on 15 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the diplomatic mission.

"The parties exchanged views on the prospects for the development of Belarusian-Russian relations and integration within the framework of the Union State," the press service noted. “We discussed the schedule of upcoming bilateral contacts between the parliaments and with foreign partners. We particularly focused on the role of the parliaments of the two countries in legislative support for the implementation of the integration agreements approved by the Supreme State Council of the Union State on 4 November 2021.”

In order to implement the guidelines to the Union State Treaty for 2021-2023 and 28 Union State programs, more than 400 legislative acts and bilateral agreements will need to be adopted. "In this context, we highly appreciate the ratification by the State Duma of the agreement between Belarus and Russia on the harmonization of customs legislation and cooperation in customs affairs and the approval by the Russian government of the agreement on the general principles of taxation on indirect taxes," the press service emphasized.

"Dmitry Krutoi and Ivan Melnikov, when considering the budget process in the Union State, agreed on the need to intensify work to increase the number of programs, projects and activities of the Union State, and to promote the effective use of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia and the Standing Committee of the Union State for the development and strengthening of Belarusian-Russian cooperation in all areas of interaction," the diplomatic mission added.

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Without preserving the legacy left by our forefathers, we can potentially lose the future, too. Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Sergeyenko made the statement at a session of the Bereza District Executive Committee on 14 September, BelTA has learned.

Igor Sergeyenko said: “Right now the world is experiencing serious economic problems, sanctions, and an aggravation of the international situation. Combat operations are taking place in a number of regions not far away from us. Today we discuss how we should preserve historical and cultural legacy. From the outside we may look like idealists who know nothing about life. It is not so. The idea to name this year the Year of Historical Memory was born for a reason. It all began when we talked to various worker collectives in different parts of the country.”

Igor Sergeyenko pointed out that Belarusians now celebrate the People's Unity Day. “Not everyone understands what this day means for the history of our country. It is necessary to tell young Belarusians about events of 17 September. It is essentially the third most important state holiday in addition to Independence Day and Victory Day,” he added.

In particular, events of 17 September are intertwined with the history of Bereza District. A concentration camp was located nearby in 1934-1939. People, who disagreed with Polish authorities, were imprisoned there. The camp ceased to be on 17 September 1939. An obelisk was erected at the site in the middle of the 20th century to commemorate the prisoners. Two granite slabs were added to the memorial. Images on them resemble walls and the barbed wire of the concentration camp. Igor Sergeyenko laid flowers at the commemorative sign and honored memory of the victims.

So-called red barracks are located next to the monument. It is a building where the concentration camp was located. A temporary exposition was opened on the first floor a year ago. A permanent one is available now. Three chambers are open to visitors. A solitary confinement cell has been recreated in one of them. Another chamber shows regular cells. The exposition showcases genuine photos and documents, placards and leaflets, recollections and personal belongings of the inmates. A mockup of the main buildings of the concentration camp is available. A projector, multimedia boards, and VR goggles help visitors feel the dramatic nature of the past. An audio guide is available. The Bereza History and Local Lore Museum loaned its assets. The national history museum and the Brest Oblast Local Lore Museum did the same.

“You have something to teach history with and demonstrate. It can be useful not only for young locals but for residents of Brest Oblast and the entire country,” Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Sergeyenko said.

Participants of the Bereza District Executive Committee session paid attention to historical and cultural legacy and to personnel training and ideological work in worker collectives. Igor Sergeyenko went on saying: “Ideological work has many aspects. It involves not only the organization of awareness-raising days but knowledge about the situation in a worker collective, provision of assistance with resolving housing problems or other problems, nurture based on traditions. We don't want indifferent people to do these jobs. They have to talk to people instead of brushing them aside. If a person has a problem (either a personal one or one connected with the public stance), the problem will not go away on its own. You have to pass information, educate, and deal with things so that people would see results.”

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The current COVID-19 incidence rate is half of what was registered last autumn, BelTA learned from Belarusian Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich.

According to Dmitry Pinevich, a certain increase in incidence rate was expected. Weather is partially to blame for it. “The number of infectious disease cases always rises at this time [of the year],” he stressed.

“We've seen a small increase but it is much lower than last year. We are working absolutely calmly,” the official noted.

Dmitry Pinevich went on saying that the current workload of medical professionals is certainly higher than it was in summer.

On 14 September in anticipation of the People's Unity Day representatives of the Belarusian Women's Union branch of the Belarusian state light industry concern Bellegprom decided to support medics, who face various infections, including the coronavirus one. They donated individual protective gear to the Minsk City Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital.

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On 14 September a Belarusian delegation will head for the 15th edition of the Youth for the Union State festival, BelTA learned from the Youth Variety Theater.

The BRSM Youth Union has done the necessary preparatory work and formed a delegation consisting of 100 Belarusian representatives from every region of the country. They are university and school students, young workers of various organizations and enterprises, united by the desire for creativity and friendship between the youth of Russia and Belarus. A solemn departure ceremony is scheduled for 14 September.

According to Art Director, coordinator of the festival participants from Belarus Aleksandr Dolzhevsky, the program of the forum promises to be rich and interesting. The festival week will include a grand opening of the festival, a contest of young singers, the Union State youth concert relay “When we are united, we are invincible” across the towns of Smolensk Oblast, a concert for war and labor veterans “Belarus and Russia - with Love for the Motherland!”, the Union State youth patriotic campaign “Candle of Memory”, a musical evening devoted to the national traditions of the Belarusian and Russian regions “We sing and praise our native land”, a show quiz dedicated to the year of national art and non-material cultural heritage, the sports marathon of the youth of Belarus and Russia “Race of Heroes”, the Miss Festival contest, the closing ceremony of the Youth for the Union State festival, a gala concert and a farewell white night of the festival.

At the initiative of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia the 15th edition of the Youth for the Union State festival will take place in Smolensk Oblast, the Russian Federation on 14-19 September. It is a large-scale creative and educational forum aimed at creating a common cultural space of the Union State, strengthening of friendship between the youth of Russia and Belarus, promoting the best ideas in the modern youth movement and establishing cooperation between youth organizations of the two countries. The previous festival was held in Rostov-on-Don in 2019. In connection with the relaxation of the current coronavirus restrictions, the MPs of the Parliamentary Assembly decided to resume this large-scale youth forum in 2022.

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Over 230,000 foreigners have visited Belarus as part of the visa-free travel program, BelTA learned from the State Border Committee of Belarus.

Over 230,000 foreigners have availed themselves of the opportunities the Belarusian visa-free travel program offers. As many as 149,413 Lithuania citizens, 58,945 citizens and 17,979 non-citizens of Latvia have come to Belarus since 15 April thanks to the visa waiver. Apart from that, about 7,000 citizens of Poland have used their right to enter Belarus without visas since 1 July.

More details about how foreigners can visit Belarus without visas are available on the Belarusian border service website and in the mobile app Belarusian Border.

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The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) and China CAMC Engineering Co., Ltd. have signed an agreement on setting up NASB's representative office in Beijing, BelTA learned from the press service of the academy of sciences.

“The main goal of the agreement is mutual support to the process of commercialization of the NASB research and development in the Chinese market. The representative office will function at Zhongguancun Science Park,” the press service said.

Plans are in place are to work out joint projects in advanced scientific areas. These include new energy sources and energy conservation, engineering and construction technology, manufacturing of high-tech equipment, environmental protection and recycling of resources, precision instruments and sensors, integrated circuits, biomedicine, information technology, new materials, optics, and also expansion of commercial application of science and technology. The agreement also provides for the conclusion of contracts for certain types of organizational work by Belarusian organizations.

The Center for System Analysis and Strategic Research of the National Academy of Sciences is responsible for the implementation of the agreement on Belarus' behalf.

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Chairwoman of the Standing Commission on Economy, Budget and Finance of the Council of the Republic Tatiana Runets and member of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security Yekaterina Serafinovich are taking part in the 14th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in Tashkent on 8-9 September. The event has been organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (Supreme Assembly) of Uzbekistan, BelTA learned from the press service of the upper house of parliament.

The summit has brought together women in top leadership positions in parliament to shape the parliamentary agenda on the basis of emerging political, economic and social changes that require unified and gender-sensitive solutions. It offers a platform for women leaders to network and exchange views and experiences on current issues on the international and national agenda. The theme of the summit is Parliamentary Leadership: Anticipating Risks to Better Deliver Sustainability and Prosperity. Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a welcome address to the summit participants. Chairwoman of the Senate of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Duarte Pacheco addressed the event as well.

During the summit the MPs exchanged views and shared their experience on such relevant issues of the international agenda as addressing risks in the process of global post-pandemic recovery, prevention of threats related to technology, protection of human rights and gender equality in the world of technology and others. Women speakers from Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, and Slovenia participated as keynote speakers in the discussion sessions.

“Looking back, we can confidently say today that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how it can slow down global political processes and provoke new crises. I am proud to note that the model of response and support chosen by Belarus - without the introduction of total bans, lockdowns and quarantine measures - has proven effective. A sustainable recovery after the pandemic will largely depend on international cooperation and solidarity of states, and above all on the existence of a fair, open and transparent trade system without economic sanctions, pressure and interference in internal affairs,” stressed Tatiana Runets.

“The coronavirus pandemic has made the whole world aware of the importance of digitalization processes and has accelerated the reorganization of human life into a new digital way of life. In today's reality, the internet is an essential element of modern life. However, its rapid development opens up great opportunities not only for progress but also for the use of technology for criminal purposes. This is the fact that is behind the outburst of the so-called information and hybrid wars, campaigns of disinformation and incitement to hatred. Today there is an urgent need to develop a clear international legal framework in information security. Its development will contribute, among other things, to the effective counteraction to disinformation and incitement to hatred both online and offline,” said Yekaterina Serafinovich.

The 14th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament is held as part of the tenth anniversary of the IPU Plan of Action for Gender-sensitive Parliaments. A special segment of the event provided an opportunity to reflect on whether parliaments have become more gender-sensitive, more inclusive, more effective, and stronger institutions that can now better ensure sustainability and prosperity for all.

“The women's agenda is at the center of the Belarusian state's attention. The implementation of gender policy in the country is based on respect for national interests, taking into account universally recognized principles of international law and human rights, as well as supporting traditional values and cultural foundations of Belarusian society. We are convinced that eradication of gender inequality is one of the priority tasks and a guide on the way to progress and prosperity. Parliaments play a major role in achieving this goal at the global and national levels,” Tatiana Runets added.

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The Belarusian national youth union BRSM should become a pillar and the center of the country's entire youth policy, BelTA learned from Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Sergeyenko.

Igor Sergeyenko said: “The Belarusian national youth union BRSM is celebrating 20 years these days. 20 years is not so much at all. One can say it is a young age. Today the BRSM is a living organism. It is 350,000 best young people from various parts of the country, the most patriotic people, who are dedicated to their country and inspired by ideas of humanism, nobility. They demonstrate civic mindedness and genuine patriotism in their daily lives.”

The BRSM was not created from scratch, the official noted. The organization is a successor of Komsomol, the Lenin Communist Youth Union of Belarus. “There are many people of our generation in this hall, who were Komsomol members in the past. The traditions born in the complicated post-war years, in the 1970s are still alive and you develop them. Right before this event we examined an exhibition dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the BRSM where all the regions, their young representatives showcased their projects. Student work teams have reached new heights these days. They have been reborn and the guys work at industrial enterprises in Minsk, they travel to work at construction sites in Western Siberia and other regions. The volunteer movement is actively developing. In the Year of Historical Memory the studying of one's history, the history of one's own family, one's own city, oblast, population center is becoming a serious matter. By studying history, you understand among other things what many generators of our fellow Belarusians have imbibed. It is great and remarkable,” Igor Sergeyenko said.

Igor Sergeyenko went on saying: “Naturally the BRSM should develop. The head of state has correctly identified the BRSM's future as a united leading youth organization. As he met with representatives of the pioneer organization and top officials of the BRSM in May 2022, the president spoke in favor of further development of the BRSM and tighter cooperation between the two bodies. Because today's pioneers will become members of the Belarusian national youth union BRSM tomorrow. And the BRSM should become a genuine leading force and a pillar, the center of the entire youth policy of our country. The relevant work is in progress.”

The Belarusian national youth union BRSM celebrated its 20th anniversary on 6 September. The Belarusian Youth Union and the Belarusian Patriotic Youth Union merged into the Belarusian national youth union BRSM in 2002. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko facilitated the merger. In his speech before delegates of the 38th merger congress of the two organizations, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that a powerful joint youth organization should become one of the pillars of the Belarusian society. The president reiterated it during a government conference held on 30 August 2022 to discuss draft legislation on civil society, operation of political parties and other public associations. The BRSM's purpose is to enable conditions for the all-round development of young Belarusians, for the realization of their creative potential, for facilitating the development of a civil society based on patriotic and spiritual-moral values in the Republic of Belarus.

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