Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 January (BelTA) – The country’s future depends on how well every Belarusian does his or her job. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement during the official reception held on 13 January to celebrate Old New Year, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko stated that the year 2016 had not been a simple one and not everything intended had been accomplished. Admittedly, Belarusians know from first-hand experience that hardships make people stronger. “We see the goal and what needs to be done to reach it. Our country’s future depends on how hard we work today,” stressed the President. “Wherever you work, every Belarusian should feel responsible for the country’s fate. It is what makes us strong. It is where our future lies.”

Celebrating Old New Year or Orthodox New Year is one of the minor traditions in sovereign Belarus. Matters of sovereignty and independence have been touched upon frequently by mass media lately. The President often talks about them as well. “Not because someone threatens us,” pointed out the head of state. In his words, people should not forget that fate presented Belarusians with an opportunity to create their own first independent sovereign state after many years. “You and I created it together,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The head of state presented state awards for many years of fruitful work, for considerable personal contributions to the development of the healthcare system, for outstanding professional skills in covering the most important events in the country’s social, economic, public, and political life, and for achieving high results in art and sport.

Yelena Bogdan, Head of the Central Office for Medical Aid Organization of the Healthcare Ministry, received a medal “For Labor Merits” from the President. Francysk Skaryna medals were bestowed upon Director of the Special Projects Directorate of the Belarusian TV channel ONT Anzhela Mikulskaya, Director of the News Broadcasting Directorate of the Belarusian TV channel STV Igor Poznyak, and the ballet dancer of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater Nadezhda Filippova.

The coach of the national track-and-field athletics team Olga Mazurenok was awarded the honorary title Honored Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus.

A number of employees of the National State TV and Radio Company were commended by the head of state. Those are Deputy Chairman Marat Markov, Deputy Chief Directors of the Central Directorate for Televised News Dmitry Bochkov and Sergei Gusachenko, the political observer Yuri Prokopov, and Deputy Chief Director of the Central Directorate of the TV channel Belarus One Olga Shlyager.