Tourist expeditions and ethnographic expeditions help people get acquainted with the history and traditions of our nation, raising our young generation as ecologically literate, physically healthy and socially active citizens of the Republic of Belarus.

The opening ceremony of the first water expedition "My Land Pridneprovsk: Routes of Memory" within the regional project "Maya_land_Pridnya_proye" took place near the memorial sign in Draunha village on September 9th.

The project is aimed at promoting and preserving the unique natural and socio-cultural heritage of the Pridneprovsk region. Teams from the Bikhovsky, Krichevsky and Chaussky districts and the team from the city of Mogilev participated in the expedition.

It was symbolic that the expedition started on the eve of an important holiday for each resident of Belarus – National Unity Day, which symbolizes the reunification of Belarusian lands.

On Chaussky territory, students and educators were greeted by Anna Podvornaia, deputy chairperson of the Chaussky district executive committee.

With words about the importance of preserving historical memory, she addressed the children. Deputy head of the main education department of the Mogilev oblyscom Irina Kuskova spoke to the youngsters, while Denis Nikiforov, head of the education department of the Chaussky district, offered warm farewell words.

Coincidentally, the first water expedition "My Land Pridneprovsk: Routes of Memory" launched exactly on the shores of the Proni River. Here, for nine months the frontline stood, fierce battles raged, and the liberation operation "Bagration" began.

Flower wreaths were placed at the memorial sign by the participants, and the memory of those who died in battles against fascism in 1943-44 was honored with a minute of silence.

After receiving information and undergoing briefings, the expedition participants proceeded to the Proni riverbank, where their camp would be set up and a boat trip on kayaks along the river would begin.

Timur Kozhegulov, head of the tourism, excursions and sports orientation department of the regional center of creativity, noted:

"We are conducting our fourth expedition with the youth within the 'Maya_land_Priednya_proye' project. Prior to this there had been three walking expeditions, now a water expedition. These bring together not only teams from different districts but also all participants. It is important for the children to demonstrate mutual assistance, endurance, curiosity, to learn the history of their homeland and to honor the feat of their great-grandfathers who defeated fascism. Not behind school desks or television sets, but putting in effort and working together, every day making small discoveries and broadening one's horizons."