Unity Through the Centuries: An Open Dialogue for Belarus-Russia Unity Day was held at Sukhoi Gomel State Technical University

On April 2, 2026, a landmark meeting in the Open Dialogue format was held at Sukhoi Gomel State Technical University to celebrate the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia. The event brought together young people, historians, and public figures to discuss shared values and the future of the Union State. The event was attended by distinguished guests: Yuri Shestopalov, First Secretary of the Gomel City Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus (CPB) and Director of the State Archives of the Gomel Region; Yulia Grishchenko, First Secretary of the Gomel City Committee of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union; and Anton Shevchenko, Secretary of the Gomel City Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus for Youth Policy.

The participation of students from Russia — representatives of the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (Kaliningrad), currently studying at Sukhoi Gomel State Technical University on an exchange program—gave the meeting a special international dimension. They joined the discussion along with Gomel students. Anastasia Artemyeva, a second-category archivist at the State Archives of the Gomel Region, presented a historical overview of the holiday’s origins. In her presentation, she detailed the stages of the formation of the Union State, archival documents, and the events that led to the signing of the fateful treaty in 1996.

During the dialogue, the speakers and students discussed the importance of preserving the historical heritage of our countries. Yulia Grishchenko emphasized that young people today are the primary guardians of the truth about the exploits of our ancestors and the architects of new joint projects in science, culture, and labor. Yuri Shestopalov emphasized the role of archives in protecting historical memory from distortion, noting that knowledge of one’s roots is the key to the sovereignty and strength of a people. Students from Kaliningrad shared their impressions of their stay in Gomel, noting the hospitality of Belarusians and the absence of any barriers to communication and study, which once again confirmed that the unity of our peoples is not just political agreements, but a living connection between people.

The open dialogue concluded with a common conclusion: the unity of Belarus and Russia is a powerful foundation that allows young people from both countries to confidently look to the future, jointly creating innovations and preserving their common heritage.

1. Speech by Archive Director Yu.V.Shestopalov

2. A.Artemyev during his speech on the history of the holiday

3-8. During the event