Round table "30 years of the Republican Festival of National Cultures" held at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno

The event, dedicated to the law enforcement practice of legislation on national minorities, took place on June 5. It was organized by the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media, the Commissioner for Religious and National Affairs, and the Grodno Regional Executive Committee.

The round table on the theme "30 years of the Republican Festival of National Cultures. Law Enforcement Practice of Legislation on National Minorities" was held as part of the XV Republican Festival of National Cultures in Grodno.

Mikalai Buzin, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media, Doctor of Military Sciences, Professor, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.

– Today, at this round table, we will discuss two topics: the anniversary of the festival and law enforcement practice. And our main task is to determine whether we have enough in legislative terms to address the issues facing our diasporas today.

Aleksandr Rumak, Commissioner for Religious and National Affairs, Candidate of Historical Sciences, noted in his address to the audience that the Festival of National Cultures is a demonstration of living history of unity on Belarusian land. It is proof that dozens of nationalities can live on the same land without strife, in peace and harmony:

– Representatives of 165 nationalities and 25 faiths live in Belarus. Our country builds interfaith dialogue on the principles of equality. Both the Constitution and the Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" stipulate that all faiths and religious organizations are equal before the law. Likewise, all citizens, regardless of their religion, are equal before the law.

As noted by Alena Pasyuta, Chairperson of the Grodno Regional Council of Deputies, today, June 5, Grodno is hosting the XV Republican Festival of National Cultures. This year's celebration is dedicated to the 30-year history and traditions of the festival, which has been held every two years since 1996. In her speech, she spoke about the history of the festival and noted that during this year's festival, a time capsule with a message to descendants was laid.

On behalf of the Rector of YKSUG, Iryna Kiturka, First Vice-Rector Aleksandr Karevskiy welcomed the participants of the round table:

– It is gratifying that the venue for the round table has been Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. We have 2,500 international students from 27 countries studying with us; every fourth student is an international student. Therefore, intercultural

dialogue is not just a priority, it is a fundamental part of our university's mission and one of the priority directions of our Development Strategy.

Within the framework of the round table, reports were delivered by: Eduard Severin, member of the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media, Candidate of Political Sciences; Oleg Romanov, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Professor; Vladimir Gavrilovich, member of the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media, head of the working group of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus for Belarusians Abroad, Honored Cultural Worker of the Republic of Belarus; and Vladislav Kadira, Chairman of the Belarusian Public Association of Ukrainians "Vatra."

Participants in the dialogue platform discussed the political and legal status of national minorities in the Republic of Belarus, the sociocultural significance of national diversity, the contribution of contemporary Belarusian culture to the formation of national identity of Belarusians abroad, and the interaction of national-cultural public associations with state structures of the Republic of Belarus using the example of the Belarusian Public Association of Ukrainians "Vatra."

The round table was attended by leaders of national-cultural public associations, who proposed the creation of a House of Nationalities, whose activities would be aimed at preserving cultural identity, strengthening interethnic peace and supporting dialogue with government representatives.

After the speeches, a discussion and summing up of the round table took place.