The results of the regional stage of the competition for the joint Belarusian-Russian patriotic archival project «Volgograd-Vitebsk: Memory of Generations» were announced in Vitebsk

The joint Belarusian-Russian patriotic project «Volgograd-Vitebsk: Memory of Generations» has been implemented by its founders, the state archives of the Vitebsk and Volgograd regions, for the past year.

The project’s main theme is commemorating the participants of the Battle of Stalingrad and the liberation of Vitebsk from Nazi invaders (during the Belarusian strategic offensive operation «Bagration») during the Great Patriotic War. The project was launched on March 12.

Over the past few months, approximately 50 events have been held in Vitebsk, including days of remembrance, courage lessons, lectures, quests, film screenings, and exhibitions. These events have reached 1,300 students from general secondary schools, colleges, and art schools. Young people learned about the heroic defense of Stalingrad, the partisan movement and the Party-Komsomol underground, the liberation of Vitebsk, and the famous monuments of the two cities.

At the same time, a two-stage competition (regional and final) was announced for children on the project’s theme. The competition was divided into six categories, each with three age groups.

Each city held its own regional stage of the competition.

In Vitebsk, a total of 104 applications were submitted, of which the jury selected 78 works for the competition. On May 6, 2026, the jury selected 33 winners and 11 recipients of special nominations and commendations.

The winners of the regional stages—those awarded third, second, and first-degree diplomas—advance to the final stage of the competition, where young residents of Vitebsk and Volgograd will compete online.

A gala event celebrating the regional (Vitebsk) results and the launch of the final stage of the creative competition within the «Volgograd-Vitebsk: Memory of Generations» project was held on May 15, 2026, at the Vitebsk Regional Palace of Children and Youth.

An exhibition of works by the winners and participants was held in the Palace’s foyer during the event.

1. Archive Director A.N.Korol presenting certificates of appreciation to educational institutions.

2. Archive Director A.N.Korol with the competition winners – holders of third-degree diplomas.

3. Deputy Director T.V.Buevich presenting certificates to special nomination winners.

4. Incentive prizes were presented to the competition participants by Valentin Gennadievich Klyushin, representative of the project’s general sponsor and head of social projects at the ML Vitebsk Football Club.

5. Speaking: Alexander Vladimirovich Sysoev, Head of the Zheleznodorozhny District Administration of Vitebsk and a representative of one of the project’s co-founders.

6. Speaking: Igor Vitalyevich Demyanenko, Chairman of the Jury for the regional (Vitebsk) stage of the competition, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Department of the Russian Embassy in Vitebsk.

7. A concert was held during the awards ceremony for the creative teams of the Vitebsk Regional Palace of Children and Youth.

8–14. Works by the winners of the «Volgograd – Vitebsk: Memory of Generations» project competition and special prize winners.