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Vasilevskaya gives Lukashenko Belarusian flag flown to ISS

MINSK, 12 May (BelTA) – The first cosmonaut of sovereign Belarus Marina Vasilevskaya handed over to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko the State Flag of the country that was onboard the International Space Station during a ceremony to honor the state symbols on the Day of the State Flag, the State Emblem and the National Anthem in Minsk on 12 May, BelTA has learned.

Marina Vasilevskaya, together with young people, pronounced an oath of allegiance to the state symbols. After that, the guard of honor gave her the State Flag and she handed it over to the president. This state symbol will take pride of place in the Palace of Independence.

The flag was flown to the ISS in 2024 by the first Belarusian female cosmonaut, thus consolidating the status of Belarus as a space power.

In an interview with journalists, Marina Vasilevskaya said that on this festive day she is overwhelmed with feelings of happiness, joy and pride for Belarus, an independent, peaceful, friendly country. "When you see your homeland from space, you understand how much you love and appreciate it," she stressed. “The Day of the State Flag, Emblem and Anthem reflects the patriotic, historical, cultural values of our country. It is symbolic that our national flag flew around the Earth, making 224 turns. I proudly unfurled it over the territory of Belarus and today I wish all Belarusians Happy State Symbols Day!" 

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