MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

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The republican competition “Every time has its heroes” is now on in Belarus. The event was organized in educational institutions to be held from January to March as part of the republican ten-day period of civil and patriotic affairs “Afghanistan in the destinies of our fellow countrymen.”

The competition was organized by the Republican Center for Ecology and Local History with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus and in partnership with the public association “Belarusian Union of Afghanistan War Veterans”.

The focus is on promoting in students a love for their Motherland, their people, respect and deep appreciation for the heroism and courage of previous generations.

Among the priority tasks is the formation of patriotic, spiritual and moral qualities in young people using examples of the courage of fellow countrymen who participated in local wars and military conflicts. Secondly, involvement in search and research activities to study individual periods of the country’s history.

Thirdly making conditions for the education of a creative personality through involvement in literary creativity.

Participants in the competition are students in two age categories (12-15 years old and 16-18 years old). Leaders are pedagogical workers of institutions of general secondary education, vocational and secondary special education, additional education for children and youth.

The competition is held in the following categories: “We are proud of them and remember them”; “The Afghan war is a living memory”; “Memory lives in creativity.”

In the category “We are proud of them and remember them,” there is a presentation of projects containing material about fellow internationalist warriors - natives of Belarus and those whose fate is connected with our country. At the preparatory stage of creating a project, the children, together with teaching staff, conduct research work aimed at studying the life path of the chosen hero; analyze historical literature on the research topic; hold meetings with participants in the events or their relatives, expeditions to collect additional material for research. Kids study documents, photographs, Internet resources, museum collections, and other sources that allow them to confirm the facts obtained and supplement the research.

The research results are compiled into a project in the form of a presentation or information folder (lapbook).

The jury's evaluation criteria include historical accuracy (the work must be based on real facts, documents, meeting protocols and memories); visibility (use of photographs, maps, family and other archival materials in the presentation).

The basis of the nomination “Afghan War – Living Memory” is material about the activities in educational institutions of museums and museum exhibitions dedicated to events and personalities related to the theme of the Afghan War of 1979-1989.

The jury will judge the provided background information about the museum or museum exhibition, the main activities, an information and advertising booklet with a list of exhibitions, museum excursions, the value of objects from the museum fund, as well as the design and originality of the booklet.

In the “Memory Lives on in Creativity” nomination, the text of a poem or song of one’s own composition is provided, dedicated to the memory of the events of the Afghan War and the fellow countrymen who took part in it.

The evaluation criteria include thematic and artistic content, compliance with the chosen style, originality of the creative concept, and accessibility of perception.

A significant feature of this nomination: based on its results, it is planned to create a collection of works dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.

The winners and runners-up of the competition will be awarded diplomas from the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus and diplomas from the Republican Center for Ecology and Local History.

Based on the results of the competition, the participants’ projects will be posted on the website of the Republican Center for Ecology and Local History in a special section “Book of Memory of Internationalist Soldiers” and on the “Патриот.by” platform for use by institutions in the educational process.
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