Andrey Belyakov, the First Secretary of the BRSM (Belarusian Republican Youth Union) Central Committee, explains, “Several thousand teenagers throughout Belarus have received passports as part of a solemn ceremony, joining several dozen thousand others across all the years of the campaign.”
We are Belarus’ Citizens! aims to encourage patriotism and has been running since 2004. Mr. Belyakov comments that interest has been growing annually, with public associations and state authorities taking part. Initiated by the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, the campaign was launched on March 10th, at Minsk’s Museum of Modern Belarusian Statehood, and with ceremonies held across all regions. Those aged 14 are able to claim their passports from notable figures in public life, at gatherings designed to instil a sense of pride in our nation.
By Olga Korneeva