A thematic meeting dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day was held at KBSU

A thematic meeting for first-year students of the Institute of Management, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry (IMTIHI) was held at Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov to mark Defender of the Fatherland Day. The event, which featured an interactive discussion, was led by Asiyat Atabieva, an associate professor at the institute, and Alina Tembotova, a third-year student majoring in Management.

The students were reminded that the holiday’s roots go back to 1918, the year the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army was created. The official name «Defender of the Fatherland Day» was adopted for this date in 2002, incorporating centuries-old traditions of honoring soldiers and heroes.

«On Defender of the Fatherland Day, we congratulate the stronger half of humanity, those who defended our homeland and demonstrated bravery and courage.» «But it’s important to understand that this isn’t just a military holiday. It’s a day when we talk about those we can always count on, who are the support of our families and our country,» Asiyat Atabieva told the students.
Meeting participants discussed the holiday’s evolving meaning over time. The speakers emphasized that today, a defender isn’t just a career military officer, but also an engineer developing defense technologies, a doctor saving lives on the front lines, and a home front worker making an invaluable contribution to the country’s security.

The section dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War evoked a particularly emotional response from the first-year students. Alina Tembotova cited the story of young pilot Arkady Kamanin, who was awarded the Order of the Red Star at age 15, and invited the students to remember their great-grandfathers who fought in the war.

«Looking back at their heroic deeds and destinies, we understand what kind of person we should be and how we should treat our homeland.» «Dates like February 23rd unite people of different generations. Thanks to them, we feel a sense of belonging to a great history and pride in our country,» said Alina Tembotova.
The role of women in defending the Fatherland was also highlighted. It was noted at the meeting that women, just like men, serve in the army and work as military doctors and nurses, making a significant contribution to the country’s security and development.

Concluding the discussion, the students agreed: patriotism is born from small things—from responsibility for one’s family, home, and everyday actions. The organizers are confident that such meetings help first-year students not only learn more about the country’s history but also reflect on their own civic position, which is especially important during their student years.