Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Day of state symbols has special symbolism

MINSK, 12 May (BelTA) - The Day of the State Flag, the State Emblem and the National Anthem has a special symbolism for me, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at 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.

“For me personally, this day is filled with special symbolism. The first referendum in the history of sovereign Belarus was held almost 30 years ago, on 14 May 1995. Then our people determined their path of development and laid the foundations of the policy of the Belarusian state. They are a strong presidential power, a strategic alliance with Russia, equal state status of the Belarusian and Russian languages," the head of state said.

"Not succumbing to the threats of modern collaborators, or rather, traitors from politics, remaining true to ourselves, our principles and ideals, and our history, we defended our true state symbols together. Together we said ‘no’ to the symbols that became a real sign of misfortune for us. The heirs of the people who survived the genocide, survived concentration camps and ghettos, who stood up to fight the enemy in numerous partisan units, could not do otherwise," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Thus, in 1995, an overwhelming majority of Belarusians voted in favor of the continuity of heroic symbols.

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