Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 January (BelTA) – Humanity, compassion and kindness are the basic traits of the national character of the Belarusians, President Alexander Lukashenko said at the ceremony to present For Spiritual Revival awards, special prizes to art luminaries, and the Belarusian Sports Olympus awards on 10 January, BelTA informs.

“Our national character is about humanity, compassion, kindness, sympathy for someone else's grief, and thirst for justice. Probably this is the reason why different religions and ethnic groups traditionally coexist peacefully on our land. We perceive Belarus as our common home, as a family for all of us. There is no dividing into friends and foes. Family members work together and help each other. They sincerely rejoice at the achievements of each and care about each of its members, children, the elderly,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President stressed that this is what Belarus is like today: kind, friendly, loving, independent, and living in harmony with its neighbors. “What it will look like in a 50-years time depends largely on those who are present in this hall today, on everyone who is called a creator. After all, art speaks the language of mind and the language of heart,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that today's awardees deserve the warmest words. These are the teams of the Maxim Tank Belarusian State Teachers Training University, the Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children, the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus.

The awards are presented to teachers and artists, writers and journalists, doctors and the clergy, and also the winners of the special prize Belarusian Sports Olympus. They are given to the best athletes, coaches, sports journalists. “Sport embodies the will and pride of the nation. We believe that Belarus’ sports victories are ahead!” President said.

The head of state noted that the prizewinners are people who have been nominated by their labor collectives. “The best people, the best groups for the award have been nominated by labor collectives. Maybe we have forgotten someone. This happens in life. Maybe the best got overlooked. We will see you next year. We would like you to express yourselves. Do not hesitate to show your work. Do not hesitate to say what you have created with your mind and your hands. But the fact remains: today we honor those who have created something, who have done a great service to the Homeland,” underlined the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko also noted that the value of art is hundredfold higher if it serves a noble mission, if it serves good and benevolence, the native land. “The achievements of the people awarded today are exactly of that kind. This is their merit and strength!” the President concluded.