Knowledge Day in Belarus: Back-to-school ceremony, lesson about native land and the president’s gifts to all Belarusian first-grade students

An elevated atmosphere of the solemn back-to-school event, an exciting First Bell ceremony, welcoming words of a teacher and the first lesson dedicated to the native land – 110,000 Belarusian school students marked their first Knowledge Day in 2018. Belarus’ school population in 2018 is about 1.1 million, or one in nine residents of the country.

School students turned freshly printed pages of new textbooks, freshmen received long-awaited student IDs, while military school students got shoulder straps from top-ranking officials. However, those were first-grade students who got in the limelight of the Knowledge Day celebrations. Their first day at school culminated in a special lesson titled “I am happy to be born here” dedicated to the Native Land theme. Every first-grade student received a gift from the Belarusian president – the book Belarus is Our Homeland.

In line with the tradition, head of state Alexander Lukashenko congratulated all students on Knowledge Day. He wished the youngest students fulfillment of their most cherished dreams and expectations. 

“I wish those who continue their studies to stay focused on major goals, parents to remain wise and patient and teachers to find creative inspiration and have a sense of pride in their students.

It is symbolic that Knowledge Day became another reason for many residents of the country, from students to officials, to remember their origins and first teachers. The Belarusian head of state set the tone. On 1 September Alexander Lukashenko visited thesecondary school in his hometown of Alexandria in Shklov District. The president spoke at the back-to-school ceremony, talked to students and teachers, hosted an improvised lesson, shared the memories of his school years, and also gifted a set of sports equipment to his school.

Belarus’ Prime Minister Sergei Rumas presented Turov School No.2 with sports equipment and a multimedia board.  First Vice Premier Alexander Turchin wished Happy Knowledge Day to students of Novogrudok School No.4. Vice Premier Igor Petrishenko visited his former school in Vetka. Head of the Belarus President Administration Natalya Kochanova met with students of Polotsk Gymnasium No.1. Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich attended the back-to-school ceremony at Mogilev Gymnasium No.3 and talked to students and professors of Belarusian-Russian University. 

Exciting and moving pictures of Knowledge Day 2018 in Belarus in the report from different parts of Belarus!