Belarus’ NOC joins Forest Week 2021 campaign

On 7 April, champions and medalists of the Olympic Games, coaches of national teams, senior executives and staff members of the NOC, the Sports and Tourism Ministry, the National Anti-Doping Agency, the National Research Center for Sports and students of the Belarusian State University of Physical Culture took part in the Forest Week 2021 campaign timed to the Year of National Unity.

Among those who planted trees on the premises of the Vileika forestry enterprise were Vice President of Belarus’ NOC, Olympic champion Dmitry Dovgalenok, Secretary General of Belarus’ NOC Polina Golovina, department head at the Sports and Tourism Ministry Vyacheslav Shiparev, Rector of the Belarusian State University of Physical Culture Sergei Repkin, Director of the National Research Center for Sports Irina Malevanaya, Director of the National Anti-Doping Agency Denis Muzhzhukhin, Olympic champions Aliaksandr Bahdanovich, Ekaterina Karsten, Aleksandr Maseikov, Olympic Games medalists Aleksei Aidarov, Olga Puzhevich, Kseniya Sankovich, Natallia Tsylinskaya.

Before getting down to work, they were told about the specifics of planting trees and were instructed on safety measures.

It was the first experience of this kind for two-time Olympic champion, six-time world champion (academic rowing) Ekaterina Karsten:

"This is my first time at such an event. I liked it, though the weather could have been better. However, they say that such weather is perfect for planting trees. This experience can be compared to the 2,000-meter row at the Olympic Games. It will be great to come back here after a while. They say seedlings take root well and grow quickly. I would gladly accept an invitation to take part in such an event again."

Aliaksandr Bahdanovich, Beijing 2008 canoe sprint champion, shared his impressions of the Forest Week campaign:

"We have done a great job. As part of the Forest Week campaign, we planted pines and birches on the area of three hectares. We were joined by students, which allowed us to join forces with the youth and feel part of the nature. It is great to realize that the work that you do will live after you. It is rewarding to make our beautiful Belarus a greener place. Several years ago I took part in such a campaign for the first time. As I joined the initiative this year, I realized once again the importance of doing good things. After all, this allows you to feel part of something big. We also plan to come here 15 years later and see what has grown."

For reference:

The Forest Week campaign is held throughout the country every April at the initiative of the Forestry Ministry.

The campaign is taking place for the 14^th time. 2021 was declared the Year of Forest by Belarus’ Forestry Ministry. Since its inception, the initiative has been steadily gaining ground in the country.

Its main objectives are to raise awareness of the importance of forest conservation, to promote a more careful attitude to nature, forest and its inhabitants, to educate participants about forestation and to show them how much effort is needed to keep forests clean and healthy. The campaign brings together people from all walks of life.

Everyone is welcome to join the initiative.

Press service of Belarus’ NOC

Photo: Belarus’ NOC