Victory Day

 Dear residents and visitors of Stolin! We sincerely congratulate you on Victory Day of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War. This sacred date for Belarusians is an occasion to reflect on the lessons of the past, to reflect on the value of peace, and to pay tribute to those who saved humanity from fascism, defended our independence, and secured a happy future. The memory of each of the millions of defenders of the unconquered Motherland lives on in the hearts of our grateful descendants: those who were tortured and killed by the Nazis, those who selflessly fought at the front, among the partisans and underground fighters, those who labored in the rear, and those who, after liberation, rebuilt the country from ruins. The journey from the Brest Fortress to Berlin was inhumanly difficult – four years of brutal struggle, bloodshed, and sacrifice. The enemy unleashed hundreds of thousands of punitive forces against us. They acted with particular cruelty, razing our cities and villages to the ground, shooting and burning alive women, children, and the elderly. They waged a war of total annihilation against us. In this battle, Belarus suffered enormous losses – every third resident perished. Such an example of exceptional courage and patriotism unites and strengthens us. We are proud of the brave generation of victors, and our duty to them is to preserve peace in our land and preserve the truth about that distant war, replenishing its annals with names, events, and facts lost to time. In our district, the Nazi invaders and their accomplices brutally executed approximately 15,000 civilians. In the Stasino tract alone, 12,500 innocent people were killed, including 3,548 children. Forty-four villages were burned. But we were not broken! We stood firm and won! And as long as our hearts ache for those who did not return from the battlefield, as long as the truth about that war resounds – WE WILL REMEMBER! Sadly, there are no longer any living witnesses or participants of that war among us. But there are we, those who will pass on this memory to future generations: through our work, our love for our native land, our dedication to military cemeteries, monuments to fellow countrymen, the graves of war veterans, and our creative achievements. After all, we are the heirs of the Great Victory! Dear fellow countrymen! On this solemn day, we wish all residents and visitors of the Stolin region happiness, peace, goodness, and prosperity. May the memory of the victorious soldiers be preserved for centuries. And may the skies over our beloved Belarus always be clear and peaceful! Happy Victory Day!