Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: No nation can be independent without cultural heritage, strong spiritual foundation

MINSK, 3 July (BelTA) - No nation in the world can be truly independent without a rich cultural heritage and a strong spiritual foundation, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at an awards ceremony of cultural workers and a gala concert, BelTA has learned.

"Tonight is a beautiful evening. It crowns the festive events dedicated to the Independence Day of our country. As we agreed at the time, we celebrate it here, at our Bolshoi Theatre. I am glad to see all of you in good health and I congratulate you on this great holiday!" the head of state said.

The president stressed that for Belarusians, independence is freedom and life gifted by the generation of winners. "We remember that in different periods of history our ancestors defended this freedom not only with weapons in their hands," the Belarusian leader said.

"No nation in the world can be truly independent without a rich cultural heritage and a strong spiritual foundation," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “You, people of art, create it. It is you who capture the historical moment, displaying it in words, music, painting, architecture and sculpture, on film, in digital medium. In other words, you chronicle the life of a generation, the life of our state. We're going to pass away one day, and that's going to stay."

"Your work is what we call historical memory and national treasure trove. This is what makes us a nation and what is one of the conditions for our sovereignty," the head of state added. He stressed that it largely depends on the masters of art whether the independence of Belarus will be strengthened and passed on from generation to generation. It is also important to remember what exactly will be passed on to the next generations.

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