On June 4, 2014 the Grand Opening of the Children Paintings and Posters Exhibition took place in the Minsk City Hall (Minsk, pl. Svabody, 2A) as an integral part of the Republican Contest of Children Art Works «Let’s be together». Traditionally exhibition is held within the World Refugee Day framework which is celebrated on 20th June. It is organised with the support of Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, UNHCR Representation in Belarus and Centre for Supplementary Instructon of Children and Youth «Evrika» in Minsk.
Republican Contest Organizing Committee received more than 700 of children art works, 63 videos and 197 electronic posters throughout the country. In the art works pupils reflected their vision of the refugee issues. Participation in this contest allows pupils to understand the problems which refugees face in their everyday life. All this helps them learn how to be tolerant, indulgent, and merciful. Recognizing the tragic destinies of refugees they start revaluing the peaceful environment in the home country.
Svetlana Shmagorevskaya, the «Evrika» Centre Director, and Elena Makashkevich, the Headmistress of the school №136 (Minsk), in their statement addressed to the children — participants of the contest and expressed gratitude for the active participation. They also congratulated children with the summer holidays and wished them to spend their leisure time pleasantly. Moreover attention was paid to the Afghan children who actively participated in the contest and the Exhibition Opening.
Alexandr Velikorodnov, Programme Assistant of the UNHCR Representation in Belarus, presented a speech at the Opening Ceremony where he noted that this contest, traditional by now, gives an opportunity to children and teenagers of Belarus to get acquainted with the challenges of a modern society which they faced or could face in the future. It is also important that this event is held on the eve of 20th June — World Refugee Day. This contest not only familiarizes its little participants with the information describing who refugees are and why they need our support and understanding, but teach them to be a little bit more tolerant not only towards refugees, but to all the people who are different by their colour of skin, religion, social foundations, political views and etc.
At the end of the speech A. Velikorodnov expressed his gratitude to all the organisers of the contest, but in particular he distinguished the administration and the team of Centre for Supplementary Instruction of Children and Youth «Evrika» in Minsk: Svetlana Shmagorevskaya, Valentina Mostovlianskaya, Svetlana Shiriakova and others.
Attendants of the event enjoyed performances of the children from artistic groups of the «Evrika» Centre. Children favored everybody with festive and joyful mood. Speakers were offered to write their wishes on the peace of paper in a shape of a hand and to attach it to the giant blue balloon representing our Earth.
After the Opening Ceremony attendants had a chance to see the Children Paintings and Posters Exhibition.
Notwithstanding the fact that children are not capable yet to offer refugees accommodation and work, they can give them such necessary things as understanding, sympathy and kindness.
Exhibition is open for visitors in the Minsk City Hall (Minsk, pl. Svabody, 2A) from 4 to 22 June, 2014.