The festival city today has become not only a cultural platform. “Slavic Bazaar” brought together representatives of various spheres from countries who, at an international forum with a festive accent, passionately negotiated further mutually beneficial cooperation.

Union programs and projects

At the beginning of the day, Vitebsk State University gathered participants of the meeting of the commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia on culture, science and education. The regions of the Union State do everything to strengthen cooperation. Previously, they agreed to join the discussion of proposals for the distribution of colleges and universities to enterprises in priority sectors of the economy and to get acquainted with the experience of kindergartens. The next similar meeting on this topic will take place on July 18 in Mogilev.

Future plans include the development of new projects and activities by the allies for the next year. Among them is the holding of the Forum of Engineering and Technological Universities in 2025 on the basis of the Belarusian National Technical University. Also, within the framework of the Advanced Engineering School of Hybrid Technologies in Machine Tool Industry, BNTU and Pskov State University plan to complete the creation of a mirror scientific laboratory of additive technologies.

In addition, the Ministry of Education of Belarus and the Ministry of Education of Russia propose to implement the project “Improving the training system for workers and mid-level specialists in order to implement the unified industrial policy of the Union State.” This proposal will help synchronizing training systems in both countries through the introduction of common principles and approaches in the system of secondary vocational education, technical and vocational education, secondary special education and bringing it to a fundamentally new level of quality. This means that the exchange of best practices between Belarusian and Russian teachers will be exclusively innovative and based on the most effective methodological support.

It is especially important that BSUIR and The Bonch-Bruevich St Petersburg State University of Telecommunications are ready to work on the project “Advanced engineering schools in the field of information security.”

Youth days

The international arts festival “Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk” has been inviting the most energetic Belarusians for 33 years in a row. Today, Youth Days were solemnly opened at one of its interactive platforms. Since 2004, this holiday has united hundreds of boys and girls.

Minister of Education Andrei Ivanets addressed the activists. He wished the guys good luck, pleasant emotions and unforgettable impressions: “Culture and youth are inseparable. As part of Youth Days, you will find many unusual, interesting, exciting events where you can express yourself. Music, dancing, dialogue platforms, concerts – there is a platform for everyone that will definitely leave an impression.”

The key events this time are dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazis, as well as the Year of Quality. The generation that was born in independent Belarus bears a special responsibility for the development of society, continuity, prosperity of their native land, shows patriotism through their deeds, victories in work, sports and creativity, scientific achievements, tries to be worthy successors of those who suffered during the terrible years of the Great Patriotic War and had to defend every inch of their native land. Thus, participants in the patriotic action “We Live and Remember” honored the memory of the liberators of Vitebsk - Soviet soldiers, partisans and underground fighters. Then we saw the theatrical performance “Genocide of the Belarusian People” and marched with the 103-meter national flag of Belarus from the “Three Bayonets” memorial complex along the central streets of Vitebsk.

Every young person was able to demonstrate their abilities, talents and creativity. More than 500 aspiring artists “lit up” the national festival-competition of youth creativity “Fire of Youth Talents”. And at the Football Championship in the city above the Dvina, teams from the primary organizations of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union competed. Ahead is a gala concert at 22.00, a pyrotechnic show and festive fireworks.

Culture and Spirit

One of the important and relevant topics for allies is “Union State of Belarus and Russia: 25 years of strengthening cultural and spiritual values”. It was discussed today in Vitebsk during a round table. The meeting was moderated by State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev. The speakers discussed issues of education in the field of culture and art, civic and patriotic education of the younger generation, humanitarian and cultural cooperation. Minister of Education Andrei Ivanets focused on the development of joint projects and programs in the field of high technologies and expanding opportunities for their implementation, training highly qualified personnel for the innovative economy, organizing the exchange of students and teachers between universities in Belarus and Russia. “The creation of a single space is an important step towards the integration of Belarus and Russia into the world economy. It will strengthen the scientific and technical potential of both countries, expand opportunities for cooperation in the field of high technologies and ensure the sustainable development of their economies,” he said.

Step to success

Live communication with young people is another important aspect in establishment of a dialogue. Today, Andrei Ivanets’ meeting with teenagers at the “Friendly Guys” health camp at the Vitebsk Regional Palace of Children and Youth was devoted to the 30-year path to becoming an independent Belarus, the unique role of the President and a look into the future of our Motherland, which can be built by young people. The guys were glad to have a dialogue with the head of the country’s educational department as part of the information and educational campaign “Step to Success” and did not miss the chance to ask bothering-them questions. They asked about his studies at school, his entry into the world of sports, and his passion in science. The head of the department wished the students a good rest, and also that each of them set goals and certainly achieve them.

Preparing schools for the school year

As part of an on-site working day in the northern region, the Minister plans to check how schools in the Vitebsk region are preparing to welcome young smart people in the new academic year, and how they specifically carry out the relevant instructions of the Head of State locally. Let us remind you that preparations for the Day of Knowledge of general secondary education institutions are in accordance with the Government Decree. Deficiencies identified in the preparation of school condition reports in May are promptly corrected.