The international bicycle rally "Youth of Russia and Belarus - the road to the future of the Union State" started from Smolensk

The international bicycle rally "Youth of Russia and Belarus - the road to the future of the Union State", which has been held since 2006 and has already become a traditional and awaited event started from Smolensk. It is organized by the Administration of the Smolensk region, the Permanent Committee of the Union State, Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, the corresponding ministries of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

The opening ceremony of the bike rally was attended by Deputy Governor Nikolai Kuznetsov, Deputy Secretary of State, member of the Permanent Committee of the Union State Ivan Bambiza, Head of the Embassy office of the Republic of Belarus in the city of Smolensk Nicholas Kutsko and other guests.

All the speakers were unanimous that the event has long gone beyond the framework of sports and is welcomed by the young people living in the Union State.

Leaders of youth organizations, young scientists, members of parliaments, teachers and students will follow the route: Smolensk - Demidov - Velizh – Velikie Luki - Polotsk - Orsha - Mogilev. The bike rally will finish on May, 28. Its total length is going to be over 700 km through the territory of the Pskov and Smolensk, Vitebsk and Mogilev regions.

The total number of participants is 60 people (30 people from Russia and Belarus respectively). The participants of the event will visit more than a hundred settlements of the two fraternal countries, share their experience in patriotic education and healthy lifestyle promotion. Also, as part of the bike rally there will be panel discussions on essential issues of the youth culture, recreational and patriotic events, business meetings, sport events, meetings with veterans and the younger generation.

Traditionally, before the start of the bike rally the participants laid flowers to the Fire of the Eternal Glory.