Belarus Remembers: Memory Relay republican campaign kicked off in Minsk District

A ceremony of the solemn start of the Belarus Remembers: Memory Relay republican campaign has been held today in the Minsk District, near a mass grave where 30,000 prisoners of war and civilians were buried during the Great Patriotic War. After the ceremony and laying of flowers, the Assistant to the Defence Minister for Ideological Work in the Armed Forces – Chief of the Main Ideological Directorate at the Defence Ministry, Major General Leonid Kasinsky, said that field search operations have been conducted for the third year as part of the investigation of the criminal case on the genocide of the Belarusian people.

“At this sacred place, where the remains of more than 30 thousand Red Army soldiers and civilians were buried, we are launching today the Belarus Remembers: Memory Relay republican campaign,” the Major General declared.

Mr. Kasinsky clarified that the idea of holding such a campaign had been proposed by public search associations, “It was supported by the Defence Ministry and was discussed at a meeting of the republican organising committee overseeing the preparation for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from Nazi invaders. The proposal enjoyed a wide support, and the campaign will be held in all regional centres of Belarus from May to October. The first event, which will follow today's launch, will take place in early May, immediately after Victory Day, in the Svetlogorsk District. Different segments of the public will be involved in the campaign, including search associations and Belarusian clubs. During the campaign, we plan to hold a small marathon of memory. Of course, schoolchildren and students will definitely be involved, so it is very important to work with young people now.”