Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. These days a wonderful Kyrgyzstani town welcomes pupils aged 14 to 17 from 7 CIS countries: Belarus, Russia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan who came to take part in the “Children of the Commonwealth” forum. The forum takes place on the bank of the well-known Issyk-Kul lake. The guys present customs, traditions and achievements of their respective countries.

During the opening ceremony, each delegation demonstrated the national charm of their country. Natalya Kochanova, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, sent greetings to the participants. “The picturesque location of the forum, amazing in its natural beauty, will inspire you to achieve the most noble and lofty goals, strengthen feelings of respect, pride and love for our countries and peoples, for our common home - planet Earth,” said Natalya Kochanova.

The welcoming speech of the Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitry Kobitsky says that a person’s destiny is mainly cemented in childhood, and the destiny of the Commonwealth of Independent States is determined on platforms such as now. “It is there one can find unique conditions for the rise of new leaders, establishing connections for the long term, and creative cooperation. I know that each of you is a patriot of your country. Thinking about the future, you wish only good and prosperity for your homeland and interaction within the Commonwealth provides inexhaustible opportunities,” the head of the Secretariat emphasized.

Each day of the forum is dedicated to different countries. Participants introduce their peers to the history and values of their native country. Thus, Belarusians celebrated Neptune Day at the forum last Saturday, wove a Kupala wreath, and then, according to tradition, released it into the water. At the master class, they learned how to create cornflowers from paper, postcards with a stork, felt bears, and motanka dolls. These wonderful handicrafts will fly to different countries, reminding of the beauty of our land.

Young forum members enjoyed the uniqueness of the Belarusian people thanks to catchy national dances, songs and poems of our classics. There was also a tea party with our national symbol of a rich harvest - a loaf of bread.

Intellectual games, educational trainings, exhibitions, sports competitions, music competitions and art evenings are available until July 4.

The main goal of the “Children of the Commonwealth” project is to create an international platform for educating children and youth in the spirit of good neighborliness and cooperation and to form a new field of communication between various representatives of the education systems of the CIS member states to preserve and enhance the moral, cultural traditions and achievements of schoolchildren and youth. Over more than 10 years, more than 700 teenagers took part in the forum.

This year, the organizers of a major international youth event are paying special attention to discussing issues of identifying and preserving Eurasian and national values; preserving and enhancing the cultural and educational potential of the CIS and improving mutual understanding between representatives of different cultures; spiritual and moral education as a necessary component of education in the Commonwealth countries; the role of public associations in the formation of the socially active life position of young people; updating the activities of educational institutions in organizing educational, research and creative activities of young people.

Details of the history of the “Children of the Commonwealth” forum can be found on the website of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, as well as in the “Children of the Commonwealth” telegram channel.