1 June 2026

"Golden Time of Life" Mini-Rally

Today, for the first time, the city lake in Kletsk hosted an event that became more than just a contest or competition — it turned into a celebration that brought together like-minded people and gave them many impressions, emotions, enthusiasm, and optimism. The first tourism mini-rally for older-generation representatives brought together six teams which, thanks to the organisers and the event’s driving forces — employees of the Territorial Centre for Social Services, the Kletsk District Veterans’ Organisation, and the district council of elders — demonstrated their talents and had a wonderful time.

The most responsible participants arrived at the rally site early in the morning and set up their camps: they put up tents, arranged their “courtyards,” laid out dishes prepared for the first contest, and began preparing for the event. It was a pleasure to see everyone who, despite their respectable age, was ready for challenges.

Six teams took part in the mini-rally: “Milk Shores” fr om the Kletsk branch of Slutsk Cheese-Making Plant OJSC, “Factory Titans” from the mechanical plant, “Borovichki” from the forestry enterprise, “Nadezhda” from the public utilities service, “Restless Ones” from the district executive committee, and “Optimistic Tourists” — educators from the region. Each team tried to surprise the guests with its culinary and creative skills in the first contest, wh ere they had to introduce their team and present their camp area: a motto, greeting, a song about women, and a dish presentation. A true flight of creativity and imagination unfolded in the improvised clearing.

The “Milk Shores” team was the first to present its introduction. They chose the theme of production for their presentation, so both the performance and the song, as well as all the dishes, matched the theme. The main creative inspiration behind the team, Yekaterina Rubanik, wrote the entire performance script, while the team enthusiastically performed a song to the tune of “Music Plays on the Motor Ship.” Dishes made from cottage cheese, butter, and curd snacks were eagerly tasted by all the tourists.

In their introduction, the “Factory Titans” were firmly determined to win. Aleksei Lopata, a well-known bard in Kletsk, warmly performed a Belarusian song accompanied by a guitar. The team gave a creative presentation of its tourist breakfast.

The “Borovichki” table, meanwhile, was filled with gifts from the forest: game and fish dishes, mushrooms, nuts, honey, herbal mead, birch sap, and porridge with forest berries. This gave the celebration a special atmosphere. The highlight of their presentation was a performance by Vladimir Shevchik dedicated to the Year of Belarusian Women, during which the men invited the ladies for a slow dance.

Pioneer-and-pensioner motifs — this is how one could humorously describe the presentation by the “Optimistic Tourists” team, who impressed everyone with well-coordinated rhyming quatrains. Former teacher Nina Kishko touchingly performed a musical number accompanied by an accordion.

The tourists from the “Nadezhda” team wished everyone optimism and friendship in their presentation. Each participant used musical instruments to support accordionists Nikolai Zakruta and Alexander Bobko.

The team of former civil servants based its introduction on the children’s cartoon “The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids.” They talked about healthy eating and active longevity, danced the lambada, and Nikolai Yakubenko performed a vocal number.

But true excitement gripped everyone during the sports contests. The “Optimistic Tourists” won the “Grab the Pin” challenge. Only the former public utilities workers managed to throw basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, tennis balls, and, most importantly, a balloon into a bag. All teams performed brilliantly in the challenge of passing a hoop around without letting go of one another’s hands. In the captains’ competition, they had to collect six balls as quickly as possible while blindfolded. Maria Alekseichik from “Nadezhda” proved to be the most skilful, completing the task in four seconds. The leaders also included Alexander Oreshko from “Milk Shores” with seven seconds and Olga Podolenchuk from “Borovichki” with eight seconds. “Factory Titans” won the humorous team relay involving passing a ball. Participants competed enthusiastically and supported one another, creating a friendly and cheerful atmosphere. 

The participants of the mini-rally demonstrated not only their physical fitness but also their creative abilities. Socialising with colleagues and like-minded people gave them plenty of positive emotions and an energy boost.      

Such events help promote an active lifestyle among older people and strengthen friendships between teams. Nevertheless, the very best — and simply the best — were determined. First place was shared by the educators, public utilities workers, and dairy workers. “Borovichki” from the forestry enterprise took second place. Former employees of the mechanical plant and the district executive committee came third.

The mini-rally became a vivid example of how like-minded people can have fun and spend their time usefully together.

The organisers are confident that similar events will become a tradition in the district and will delight participants with new experiences and emotions.

 Council of the Kletsk District Veterans’ Organisation