Today, September 16, Brest became a hub for student and working youth. The primary trade union organizations of students and staff at universities in Minsk and Brest joined forces in a large‑scale patriotic bike ride “By the Roads of Memory,” dedicated to the Day of National Unity. The Belarusian National Technical University was represented at the event by 17 members of the Student Union and 3 members of the Workers’ Union.
The first location of the bike ride was the Park of Culture and Recreation, where a rally was held. The participants of the event laid flowers at the burial site of Red Army soldiers who died in the autumn of 1939 while fighting for the reunification of the Belarusian people.
After the rally, the column of cyclists set off. The route ran through the historical center of Brest: from the Park of Culture and Recreation along Lenin Street, through Masherov Avenue to the memorial complex “Brest Fortress‑Hero.” The bike ride became a vivid embodiment of the unity of the trade union youth. Students and university staff, covering the route side by side, felt like part of a large and friendly family bound by a common goal and shared memory.
At the finish line, by the walls of the citadel, the participants were greeted by a solemn award ceremony. Each participant was awarded a medal with the inscription “Participant in the Cycling Race – 2026”.
The program was not limited to the sports aspect. After the ceremony, the participants arrived at the Ceremonial Square, where they laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. Fresh flowers at the memorial are a connecting thread between the past and the future, a symbol of the enduring gratitude of descendants.
Next, representatives of trade unions from Minsk and Brest headed to the Republican Educational and Health Center for the Patriotic Education of Children and Youth. Here, the participants laid flowers at the monument “Living Memory of Grateful Generations” and took a sightseeing tour, touching upon the pages of history and learning a lot about the patriotic upbringing of the younger generation.
Representatives of BNTU shared their emotions from participating in such a significant event. For example, Maxim Kulik, chairman of the primary trade union organization of BNTU students, noted:
“I have been participating in this event for the fourth year now, and each time I enjoy it, experience unforgettable emotions, and feel admiration thanks to the scale and organization of the event.” I also like the fact that I can visit many significant historical sites and meet young people from other universities. For me, the importance of the patriotic bike ride “Roads of Memory” lies in unity, patriotism, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and the preservation of historical memory.
For Andrei Kurlianchik, deputy chairman of the student union at the Faculty of Mining and Engineering Ecology, participating in the bike ride was not just a sporting challenge, but an opportunity to take a fresh look at the city and change his usual rhythm of life.
— The event gave me only positive emotions; I love cycling and try to lead an active lifestyle. I decided to take part in the event for a reason, and there were several reasons for that: I love cycling, and I like the location of the event. The bike ride took place in Brest; until today, I’ve been there only once, when I was 10 years old. So I gladly agreed to take part in the event. In my opinion, such events bring people closer together and introduce them to sports; they allow you to take a break from work and household chores and take a peaceful bike ride.
Mikhail Krukovsky, the chairman of the student union at the automotive and tractor faculty, for whom participating in such events has already become a tradition, shared his view on the significance of the bike ride for student youth.
“The emotions from participating in the event are only positive; I really enjoyed everything. This is my second year participating in the ‘Roads of Memory’ bike ride. I decided to take part because it aligns with my lifestyle and interests. Besides, it was very interesting to visit Brest, the Brest Fortress, and ride around the city on a bicycle.” For students, this is a very important event, as it is not only entertaining but also educational and informative. Every citizen, every patriot of the Republic of Belarus, is obliged to know the country’s history and visit such significant places as this.
The bike ride has become a symbol of unity among generations, respect for history, and the strengthening of friendly ties between student youth and university staff from the two cities.
