«Those who preserve history create the future". 5th Belarusian-Russian Patriotic Forum "We Live and Remember"

On April 23-24, on the eve of the Victory Day, there was held the 5^th Belarusian-Russian Patriotic Forum "We Live and Remember" at BSMU. It brought together more than three thousand participants from leading universities of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

As Rector of Belarusian State Medical University, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Sergey Rubnikovich, noted - our university has for several years served not only as a center of education, medicine, and science, but also as a major platform for historical memory: "We are proud that for the past five years, BSMU has served as a unifying platform for the study of historical truth, an example of the incredible courage and resilience of our peoples.

It is significant that the President of our country has declared 2026 as the Year of the Belarusian Woman. Because in all difficult times, it is women who are the moral core of the nation, a symbol of love, loyalty, wisdom, and endurance, ensuring the continuity of generations – from war heroines to modern workers”.

Members of the high presidium and distinguished guests emphasized the significance and importance of this event for Belarus and Russia. Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl noted: "Military doctors, paramedics, nursing assistants and nurses performed their daily heroic deeds back then. Their weapons were professional skill, compassion, and empathy, which sometimes required extreme effort. Under bombing, in tent hospitals and frozen dugouts, they brought soldiers back from the brink of death, saving the future of our country. Today you, students, are learning the same thing that they learned, following the words of Jesus Christ: “Heal those who pray”. To remember means to continue their sacrificial service to life".

In his speech, Valery Malashko, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Healthcare, emphasized: "It is becoming a wonderful tradition within the walls of Belarusian State Medical University to honor the memory of the immortal feat of the Soviet people". He called on young people not to forget the lessons of war, reminding them that “to forget the lessons of war is to renounce those who did not spare their lives so that our children and grandchildren could live under a peaceful sky”.

A congratulatory address from Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko was presented by Daria Shimanovskaya, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Public Relations of the Russian Ministry of Health. She noted: “Today, more than ever, it is important to preserve and strengthen fraternal ties between the Belarusian and Russian peoples”, adding that “we bow our heads to those who fell in fierce battles”.

Deputy Minister of Health Alexander Starovoitov addressed young people: "You will live in this world. You will tell your future children about what war is and which is the price of Victory. You are the last generation that can still hear the voices of veterans. Tomorrow, this opportunity may be gone. And then the whole burden of preserving the truth will fall on your shoulders. Don't be afraid of this burden. Be worthy of the heroism of your great-grandfathers. Learn courage, honor, and compassion. These are the qualities that make a person a citizen".

Vladimir Zhevnyak, Deputy Head of the Permanent Committee of the Union State in Minsk, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural memory: «Those who preserve history create the future". Other distinguished guests also spoke at the event, including Vyacheslav Shilo, Chairman of the Belarusian Trade Union of Healthcare Workers, and Valery Tolkachev, Head of the Investigative Team of the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Belarus. Their words once again confirmed the importance of this event for strengthening patriotism among the youth of both countries.

On the first day of the forum, there was held a plenary session, at which historians discussed the genocide of the Soviet people and the role of medical workers during the war. Throughout the day, thematic sections were held throughout the university, where students acted as lecturers. The sections were dedicated to the years of the Great Patriotic War and modern patriotic education. Under the careful guidance of experienced lecturers, the students prepared and presented reports that deeply and meaningfully addressed the difficult events of the war. Each story served as a vivid testimony to the cruelty and violence experienced by civilians during those harsh years.

Anna Bychko, a student of the Faculty of Pediatrics of Belarusian State Medical University's, is participating in the forum for the second time. A year ago, she spoke at the "Female Face of Victory" section about night witches, and this time, Anna shared a story about the heroism of priests, which often remained behind the headlines. "I really enjoyed participating last year because it truly was an exchange of memory, a sharing of the foundation we built together. This is also a very important aspect for our descendants. Who, if not us, will pass on what we know, what we remember and honor, to our future children and generations?" – she added.

The first day concluded with a spectacular performance "From Dawn to Victory" by the Panacea public agitation and art brigade. Through body language, music, and light, the brigade members told a story that resonates in every heart. From the first ray of sun over a peaceful city to the victorious month of May – through the pain of loss, faith, and hope, to the Great Victory.

In addition, the forum included the III Belarusian Cardiology Olympiad for Students and Young Scientists with international participation. The Olympiad was held in the academic disciplines "Internal Medicine" and "Emergency Cardiology" among 15 fourth-sixth-year students of Belarusian State Medical University, medical universities of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan, studying in the specialties "General Medicine" and "Pediatrics". The first stage included: decoding electrocardiograms, echocardiographic fragments, and solving open-ended and closed-ended test questions on the main areas of cardiology and therapy. During the practical stage, the students presented clinical cases and took part in practical skills competition.

Symbolically, the morning of the second day of the forum began for young people with a visit to the memorial complex “Khatyn”. Guests from the Russian Federation, along with our students, walked along a road paved with concrete slabs and paused at the famous cemetery of villages that no longer exist on the world map.

Following the memorial to the staff and students of Minsk State Medical Institute who died during the Great Patriotic War in 1941-1945, a touching meeting was held at the Stele dedicated to the memory of those who fought for peace and freedom. In gratitude for the courage and heroism of the Hippocratic Guards, forum participants laid flowers at the Memorial Stella and observed a moment of silence in memory of the fallen. The event featured performances by the BSMU student club groups "TALENT" and "Elegance," as well as students from the Northern State Medical University in Arkhangelsk, who presented the play "Bells of Memory". The rally served as a reminder that the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War continues to live in the hearts of the younger generation, as well as the significance of the peace and freedom for which they fought!

"This is my second year coming. It's a wonderful country, a wonderful city, Minsk. Huge, wide streets, which I was amazed by back in 2025. Belarusians are wonderful and very pleasant. I wish prosperity to Belarusian State Medical University and hope that the forum's idea will only continue to grow. Thank you so much!" – Andrey Zemskov, a student of Voronezh State Medical University, shared his impressions.

The culmination of the 5^th Belarusian-Russian Patriotic Forum "We Live and Remember" was a concert dedicated to the 81^st anniversary of the Great Victory. The Exemplary Orchestra of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, under the artistic direction of Principal Conductor Maxim Kochetkov, performed on the main stage of our university. The concert ended with thunderous applause and words of gratitude to all forum participants!

Author: Alina Kukhareva, correspondent of the Department of Ideological Work