Weekend interview: А word that keeps memory

Hello there! Teachers and students are thrilled to reflect on the significance of 9 May and its profound social and historical importance. In a world where preserving traditions meets modern creativity, the younger generation is taking bold steps to honor the past while shaping the future. Joining us is a group of students from the Faculty of Journalism at BSU to explore their perspectives on celebrating Victory Day, preserving memories, and fostering peace. Conducting this interview are Daria Skvartsova, a third-year student from the international journalism department, Vasilina Kozlova, a first-year student and their fellow groupmates. Together, we will guide you through the insights and plans of our peers.

Young journalists’ bright thoughts on Victory Day 

Daria: Good morning everyone! How are you planning to celebrate the long weekend for Victory Day?

Alina Kryzhevskaya: This year, my family and I have planned something special — a trip to my grandfather’s hometown. There, we will gather with our relatives for an evening of reminiscing, sharing stories about how our family lived through the war.

 Vaselina: It’s so important to preserve family traditions and memories. Anastasia, what’s your take on this?

Anastasia Syrokvash: I love expressing my creativity, and this weekend I’m planning to work on art projects dedicated to the themes of war and peace. It’s my way of showing gratitude to the heroes of the past.

Daria: Creativity is always inspiring! Ivan, how do you plan to spend these days?

Ivan Valuyev: I plan to take part in the Immortal Regiment event organized for the holiday. Such events show how important it is to honor the victory. 

Liza Zhilach: That sounds impressive! My friends and I are planning to organize a clean-up at the memorial near our school. This is our way of contributing to the preservation of our ancestors heroic legacy.

Vasilina: What a great initiative!

Angelina Dontsova: What about me, I’ll visit my grandmother; she is a veteran of the Great Patriotic War. It’s always so touching to hear her childhood stories, and this year I want to record a small interview with her to keep as a family heirloom.

Daria: That’s incredible! Now your family will have a documented memory.

Kalina Parfenovich: Our family has a tradition — on Victory Day, we cook special Belarusian dishes, just like my great-grandmother used to. We prepare verashchaka, draniki, and machanka. While cooking, my grandmother not only teaches me the recipes but also shares stories about her tough wartime childhood. 

Vasilina: Family traditions are always so inspiring!

Yulia Retikova: If you ask me, I’m planning to attend a film festival of wartime movies held in our city. I think it’s a great opportunity to understand the events of those times through art. 

Daria: An interesting choice! Art always helps us view the world with a broader perspective and ease!

Vasilina: How does art help to preserve the memory of the most challenging and heroic chapters of our history? 

Sonya Kulikovich: Art, in all its forms, preserves the memory of those tragic and heroic times. Paintings such as ‘For the Native Land’, where a mother bids farewell to her son heading to the front, symbolize the enduring connection between hope and sacrifice. These artworks encapsulate moments of grief, courage, and perseverance, ensuring that future generations understand the true cost of freedom. 

Daria: Sonya, as I understand, you have recently visited the Museum and I immediately have a question for you: What is it about the human spirit that is so powerfully reflected in works of art?

Sonya Kulikovich: From women fearlessly standing up to the enemy, to prisoners chasing illusions of freedom in Mikhail Savitsky’s ‘Numbers on the Heart’, the stories conveyed through art emphasize not only the horrors of war but also the indomitable greatness of the human spirit. These masterpieces elevate memory into art—a vivid reminder of what is necessary to protect the future of generations. 

Vasilina:  Yes, it’s an eternal topic. What other impactful paintings can you share with us?

Sonya Kulikovich: In contrast to the grim realities of war, paintings such as Vladimir Tautiev’s ‘Victory!’ radiate warmth, depicting the joy of reunions with loved ones after long trials. These images exude hope, showing that victory earned through suffering brings about a brighter future. Even blooming apple trees become symbols—the flowers of Great Victory, expressing gratitude for peaceful life.

 Daria: Every family has its own May 9th traditions. Some people visit monuments, some gather their families around the table, and others honor the memory of the fallen by visiting battlefields. How does your family celebrate Victory Day?

Ivan Gorolevich: My family includes participants of the Great Patriotic War, and their sacrifices demonstrate true patriotism. For example, my great-great-grandfather, Ulitsky Pyotr Antonovich, endured the entire war and received several awards for his bravery. Unfortunately, he was wounded on May 8, and the shrapnel affected his health, which ultimately led to his early death. However, my family honors his memory by visiting his grave every May 9th to ensure we never forget his heroic deeds.

Nadia Astapkovich: I’m going to spend this long weekend with my grandmother, listening to her stories about the war. She tells them in such a way that I feel transported back in time.

Vasilina: Listening to these stories, you realize how personal this holiday is. Angelina, what does May 9th mean to you?

Ilyushonak Angelina: For my family, May 9th is sacred. Our day begins with Grandma’s secret-recipe pancakes, filling the house with warmth as we share wartime stories. Then we lay red carnations at the monument, standing silently with veterans whose eyes hold history. Back home, we feast on Grandma’s baked chicken and pies, laughing together before watching fireworks light up the sky—our way of saying, ‘Thank you for peace.’

Daria: Ekaterina, does your family have any special traditions on this day?

Borovskaya Ekaterina: Every May 9th for seven years now, my family has been going to Khatyn, born from our painful connection to the burned village of Khotenovo where my grandmother’s sister and her children perished in 1943. We first visit their gravesite in Khotenovo’s cemetery, then proceed to Khatyn to lay flowers — this sacred ritual binds us to both our personal loss and the collective tragedy, ensuring future generations remember.

Vasilina: After hearing these stories, you truly grasp the price of Victory. Listening to firsthand stories is priceless!

“…patriotism is not just about the past, but also the present…”

Daria: We were just discussing the importance of preserving the memory of war. But patriotism is not just about the past, but also the present. Ulyana, how does your daily work contribute to society?

Kukhareva Ulyana: I think, the memory of the Great Patriotic War lives on through generations, reflecting extraordinary courage and sacrifice. As journalists, we honor this legacy by documenting the stories of veterans and creating historical records. Our mission today extends to combating disinformation—the lessons from the war teach us to uphold the truth with the same vigilance that our ancestors defended their Motherland.

Vasilina: Agreed! And there are professions where the contribution to society is especially noticeable. As a future journalist, tell us, what opportunities for meaningful work do you see in your field?

Daria Gorskina: Contributions to societies are not always measured by big actions, sometimes you can do a «small» thing, but the main thing is to do it efficiently. I believe that my role in society is precisely to do my job as best as I can. By doing my job efficiently, I benefit other people, and my efforts make their lives easier. Striving for excellence in my work contributes to my personal growth. A responsible attitude to one’s duties creates a good example for others, it inspires people to make similar efforts. Doing my job well is my way of making the world a better place!

Daria: That’s a key point! In your opinion, is it possible to cultivate genuine patriotism in the modern world without it feeling contrived?

Fedoniuk Aleksandra: As a future journalism specialist, I am being trained to become a qualified professional. In the future, I will have the opportunity to benefit people by sharing important information through TV or radio broadcasts, or even in print. I will be able to tell society about hot news, the weather or a delicious recipe. It’s not just me; my friends are studying to be doctors, psychologists, and economists. They too will contribute significantly to society, potentially discovering groundbreaking solutions or even saving lives. We are the future of our country, ready to replace the old guard and explore new potentials.

Vasilina: Great! What do you think students can do today to ensure their knowledge will contribute to the development of our country tomorrow?

Nabiyev Kamran: What do you think students can do today to ensure their knowledge will contribute to the development of our country tomorrow? Parents instill love for their homeland through stories of the past and their own example. Family traditions, like celebrating May 9th, strengthen intergenerational bonds and awareness of the value of peace. Patriotism also manifests in civic responsibility and caring for the country’s future. I believe that a sense of patriotism will play a vital role in the ongoing development and prosperity of our country.

 Daria: Excellent approach! And have you ever worried that after graduation your skills might not be in demand? How do you plan to avoid this?

Kozlova Vasilina: My personal contribution to my country’s prosperity lies in obtaining a quality education, which our state provides. It is important to seize every opportunity, develop comprehensively beyond the curriculum, and become a qualified specialist capable of using their experience and knowledge to work for the benefit of the homeland. The state invests in quality education with the expectation that it will yield highly skilled professionals for the future.

Life Motto

Daria: Why is it so important to speak about Victory not just as a past event, but as our shared heritage?

Sonya Kulikovich: ‘Victory is not just celebrated; it is preserved in memory.’

This sentiment reflects how Belarus honors the legacy of the Great Patriotic War;an event deeply rooted in the collective consciousness. The significance of May 9th is perceived not just as a historical date but as a life credo—a testament to resilience, sacrifice, and enduring hope. 

Vasilina: What does it mean to you to never forget the feat of Victory? 

Sonya Kulikovich: May 9th is a call to all of us to never forget. It is a life credo, not just a national holiday—a collective promise to honor the legacy of those who came before us and to do everything possible to ensure the lessons of history guide us to a better future. In this pursuit, we affirm: the memory lives on. Always. 

Daria: Every family has its unique story of how Victory transformed the lives of their ancestors. Let us cherish these memories in our hearts so that in every moment of peace, we remain aware of the price that was paid to achieve it. The memory lives on. Always.

Daria Skvartsova, a third-year student, International Journalism department

Vasilina Kozlova, a first-year student,

Angelina Voitova a third-year student, International Journalism Department, a junior designer

Proofreaders group:

Angelina Dontsova, a third-year student, International Journalism Department Daria Zobnina, trainee teacher, International Journalism Department