Today is Belarus Independence Day and celebrations are taking place all over the country. We were lucky enough to be involved in three!
Сегодня празнования дня независимости Белоруси по всей стране и нам повезло принять участие в трех городах.
Interview for Belarus TV station.
The 1st ceremony we attended was in Brest at their memorial in Freedom Square.
Первая церемония в которой мы принимали участие было в Бресте на мемориале на площади свободы.
It was a very heartfelt ceremony with the band playing music while bouquets were placed by procession. Everyone knows the significance of today and this allowed each to offer their thoughts and prayers of remembrance and gratitude.
There were a lot of smart uniforms being proudly worn!
We are thankful to the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church for blessing our torch with his peaceful wishes.
We will carry these special smiles with us to Minsk.
He then passed the torch to the Catholic Priest so offer his blessings.
Who truly entered into the spirit of the Peace Run by taking our first steps onwards from Brest.
A last run past some of the sights of downtown.
And then we arrive at Zhabinka.
И потом мы прибыли в Жабинку.
All generations had gathered in the town to celebrate together.
We don't know how old this man was, but he looks like he has lived a long life of service and we enjoyed his smiles.
The mayor of Zhabrinka enthusiastically receives the Peace Torch.
Мер Жабинки с энтузиазмом принял Факел Мира.
The young generation of Zhabrinka performed a dance routine that was full of fun and energy!
Then it was time to run around the worls through our continent flags.
The dance leader's energy hadn't faded!
A happy group photo to say farewell. Our Belarus flag seems unusually large from the size we usually run with, but given it's Independence day it seems fitting there was a decent wind to fly it strong and proud!
Груповая фотография на прощания. Наш Беларусский флаг кажется необычно большим, чем обычно, но в день независимости он кажется как раз и развевается очень сильно и гордо.
The mayor also enters the spirit and runs a few steps.
Back out on the highway to Kobryn Vlad carries the torch.
His small footsteps carrying us onwards.
Его маленькие шаги ведут нас вперед.
It's always a challenge to lit the torch on a windy day!
Arriving to our final ceremony of the day in Kobryn Park where a concert was being held.
Прибытие к нашей финальной церемонии в Кобрине в парке где было большое празнование.
Before our presentation many people of all generations held the torch.
Thank-you for arranging our stay in Kobryn :-)
Anastasia, Darya and Alexandre were particulalry taken by our torch and came back more than once to hold it!
All generations were enjoying the evening :)
Все поколения радовались происходящему.
A Peace Torch and a Football = Big Smiles! What more could a boy need?!
The fountain beside was a fascination for all the small children, but this wee one nearly succeded in taking a swin!
These 3 marathon runners recognised us from 15 years ago when they took part in the Peace Run!
They were a very enthusiastic audience and you know you are in a town of Good People when they all stand as one for a Moment of Silence :)
Soon it was time for a break in the music and for us to present the Peace Run to the audience.
We celebrated the end of the celebrations with Yuri treating us to ice cream again, along with our new friends!
Мы отмечаем завершение празднования. Юрий опять угощает мароженым нас и наших новых друзей
Yummy!!!
Нямм!!!!
Thank-you Belarus for the opportunity to be a part of your Independence Day celebrations. You're a nation of kind and warm hearted people and we wish you Peace filled years ahead.
