In 1941, Brest was the first to take the blow of the Nazi German invaders, and thanks to the courage of its defenders, the first steps toward the Great Victory were made. «Brest Oblast, our city, and the Brest Fortress attract a great deal of attention during these days. Traditionally, a number of events dedicated to this tragic date — the beginning of the Great Patriotic War — take place in Brest. The main events will begin on 20 June and will involve various locations,» said Brest Vice Mayor Vitaly Shcherba.

The regional center will host the second international forum Great Heritage, Shared Future. Brest will traditionally serve as the starting point for the Train of Memory, a large-scale international cultural and educational project initiated by the Council of the Republic of Belarus and the Federation Council of Russia.

An open-air screening of the film Seven Miles Until Dawn is planned at the Brest Hero Fortress memorial complex. The screening is expected to be presented to audiences by the actors who played key roles in the film. On 21 June, the events of the last peaceful day of 1941 will be recreated on Sovetskaya Street. «Graduation parties were held in schools. Dressed-up and happy young people strolled through the city, laughter filled the air, and people made plans for their lives. No one could have imagined what terrible disaster would come at dawn. To experience this poignant moment in history, the pedestrian street will be immersed in a special atmosphere. The event will begin at 17:00. A column of reenactors, accompanied by retro vehicles, will march from Gogol Street onto Sovetskaya Street,» the Brest City Hall said.

Many residents of Brest consider it their duty to come to the Brest Fortress on the night of 21-22 June. Visitors from various parts of Belarus and from abroad also come to the regional center to take part in the commemorative events. The current program includes a performance of the play Brest Fortress staged within the fortress walls at 1:30, produced by the Brest Academic Drama Theater. A memorial meeting is scheduled for 3:30, where attendees will honor the memory of the defenders and victims of the Great Patriotic War and lay flowers at the Eternal Flame.

A poignant highlight will be the military-historical reenactment of the defense of the Brest Fortress, which will take place at dawn on 22 June. Approximately 1,000 people will take part in recreating episodes of the tragic events, and retro vehicles, cavalry, and aircraft will be used.