Press releases

20 Jun 2026

Memory Train set off for Brest

MOSCOW, 20 June (BelTA) – International participants of the Memory Train cultural and educational project have departed from Moscow for Brest, where the official launch of the large-scale initiative will take place, BelTA learned.

A ceremonial send-off was held at Moscow’s Belorussky railway station. This year marks the fifth edition of the project, which was initiated by the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia. Originally bringing together high school students from Belarus and Russia, the project has steadily expanded its geographical reach. Representatives of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union were the first to join, followed by participants from CIS and Baltic countries. This year, the project welcomes not only delegates from all former Soviet republics but also students from countries of the anti-Hitler coalition, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and France. According to the organizers, the level of interest and the number of applications received from Western countries exceeded expectations.

Addressing the international group, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Yuri Seliverstov said: “Having begun your journey today from the legendary Belorussky railway station, tomorrow you will arrive on the hospitable Belarusian land. You will learn more about our country, its culture and history, folk traditions and modern achievements. Most importantly, you will come into contact with the heroic history of the Belarusian people – a victorious people who honor the memory of all defenders of Belarusian soil and the liberating soldiers who represented every republic of the Soviet Union.”

“Preserve the emotions and impressions you will gain during the trip and share them with friends, relatives and classmates. It is vital. Preserve forever and pass on, like a relay, the memory of the feat accomplished by our peoples during the Great Patriotic War. This memory must never fade. And from now on, it will largely depend on you.”

After arriving in Brest, the international participants will be joined by their Belarusian peers. Together they will take part in commemorative events marking the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.

According to Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Konstantin Kosachev, the content of the project continues to evolve, and this year’s participants will travel along a new route. The itinerary includes visits to eight cities in Belarus and five cities in Russia, where students from different countries will tour memorial sites and meet with veterans, historians and officials.
The project will conclude in Minsk, where participants will join celebrations marking Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus.