A patriotic song contest "In a year – remember!" was held in Vitebsk.

The House of Culture of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine hosted the final of the III open city competition of military-patriotic songs of the Great Patriotic War and the Afghan War "In a year – remember!".

The event was organized by the Vitebsk regional and city organizations of the public association "Veterans of Paratroopers and Special Operations Forces" (NGO "DVBSSO"). As Vladimir Gaikov, the head of the city organization of the NGO "RUSSO", noted, it was not easy to choose the best of the best juries. In total, they received about 60 applications for the competition, but only 23 numbers made it to the final.

Vyacheslav Belous, chairman of the regional organization of the NGO "RUSSO", addressing the audience, expressed hope that this competition would live for many years, and also told how the songs helped them in the war.

– They say that the muses are silent in the war, but this is not true. Many times our comrades, overwhelmed with feelings, wrote poetry, music and other works of art. I remember how during the war in Afghanistan, after a difficult operation where we suffered losses, the cry was given to organize a concert in order to survive through art the trials that we went through. Many talented people gathered and the command was invited. We sang and read poetry for three hours, after which the commander gave the order to organize such a concert for the entire regiment," Vyacheslav Belous said. – No one canceled combat training classes, but we did it. Everyone rallied, realized that the song helps us to build and live. This is how the amateur vocal and instrumental ensemble "Blue Berets" was created, which everyone knows today. I even asked my friend, the founder and artistic director of the group Sergey Yarovoy, after the vona, if you thought that you would become so popular, he said that there was not even a thought of fame. Everyone composed music, the lyrics were from the heart, so they found a response in the hearts of people.

Larisa Olenskaya, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of public organizations and political parties of Vitebsk, Chairman of the City Council of Veterans, thanked everyone who took part in the organization of the competition, wished the audience good health, good mood and a peaceful sky over their heads, and also noted that the outgoing year is filled with socio-political and military-patriotic events.

– This year we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, the city of Vitebsk. Now we are actively participating in the electoral campaign for the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus. Also in 2024, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, in December we will celebrate the anniversaries of the formation of the 103rd Vitebsk Separate Guards Airborne Brigade and the entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan," Larisa Olenskaya stressed. – Despite such a large number of significant events, the city's military-patriotic song contest occupies a worthy place among the variety of events. There is not much patriotism, because it is love for one's family, city, country, respect for the historical and cultural heritage of the people. And there is even greater responsibility for the future of our country, what our children will become, whether they will be able to benefit Belarus, whether they will defend the Motherland if necessary.

Many speakers are taking part in the competition for the first time, but most of them are for the first time. Among them is Daria Chakhovich, a student of Vitebsk Secondary School No. 2 named after F. Blokhin, who began singing at the age of six.

– I studied vocals and played the piano at the music school, which I have already graduated from. Now I continue to study on my own," Daria said. – Despite the fact that this is not the first time I have performed at competitions, there is still excitement, because all the contestants are very talented. Today my mom, dad and grandma came to support me. Together with them, I chose a song for the contest. I will perform the piece "Veterans of the last war", I hope everyone will like it.

Ekaterina Senko received the Grand Prix of the competition with the song "The Ballad of the Mother". Polina Romanova and Vasilina Sushko became the best in the age category from 10 to 13 years old, Anna Rogozhinskaya from 14 to 17 years old, Olga Saltanova from 18 to 22 years old. Among the vocal groups, the vocal studio "Big Change" won. The contestants also received special prizes from sponsors.

As part of the gala concert, those present also honored the memory of those who died in the Great Patriotic and Afghan Wars with a minute of silence and, to applause, escorted a delegation consisting of cadets, "Margelovites" and internationalist soldiers, who went straight from the stage to lay wreaths at the monuments of Vitebsk.

Photo by Alyona KOLOSOVA

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