Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 2 October (BelTA) – There should be no place for aggression and violence in people’s hearts. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement at the meeting with representatives of religious confessions, national associations, and diplomatic missions on 2 October. The meeting took place in the All Saints Memorial Temple where capsules containing soil from graves of the Belarusian warriors, who died far away from their native land, were buried, BelTA has learned.

The head of state noted that people dying far away from their native land is the most grievous thing. Alexander Lukashenko said he hopes that the current generation of Belarusians would be rewarded for their effort to return remains of the fallen ancestors to the motherland years and decades later. Richly soaked in the blood of Belarusians during World War Two, the soil was delivered into the crypt of the All Saints Memorial Temple from seven European countries — Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, and Italy. The soil will be kept there forever. Alexander Lukashenko said: “We consider this spiritual event as a symbolic sign, a telling reminder of what tragedies wars can bring to the mankind. There should be no place for aggression and violence in our hearts. We cannot allow any new bloody conflicts due to the historic memory and care for the future of the world community.”

The head of state said he was confident that the new unique project meant to immortalize memory of the fallen would enjoy full support of the Belarusian nation and would be continued in a worthy manner. The President wished success to the action’s initiators. “The temple itself should become a symbolic place of unity for representatives of all the public and patriotic forces of Belarus regardless of their social status, political views, ethnic and confessional affiliations,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarus President thanked leaders of the religious confessions, ambassadors of European countries, leaders of public associations and political parties for taking part in the action and for assistance with organizing the event. “There is no nobler deed than preserving historic memory in the name of a fair future. Everyone can make his or her own contribution to support for peace, accord and order in the Belarusian land. Everyone needs both stability and prosperity,” he noted. The head of state said he was glad to meet with representatives of religious confessions, public associations, and diplomatic missions on that day. He suggested exchanging opinions about topical matters they might be interested in. While talking to Alexander Lukashenko, the leaders of the religious confessions drew attention to the special mood in the Belarusian society and its tolerance, which allows peaceful coexistence of people of different beliefs.