Opinions & Interviews

ALEXANDRIYA, 9 July (BelTA) - The secret behind Belarusians’ peacefulness is in the cherishing of the treasures of the past, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the festival Alexandriya Gathers Friends on 9 July, BelTA has learned.

“The respect to both the culture and artistic achievements of other peoples is a national feature of Belarusians. We cherish the treasures of the past and are deeply interested in the art of our neighbors. I think this is the secret behind peacefulness and mutual understanding of the Belarusian nation,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The head of state is confident that such an attitude to life is a reliable protection from ethnic and religious discord, as well as other destructive phenomena which, unfortunately, have been sweeping even the most civilized countries.

According to the President, this year’s festival Alexandriya Gathers Friends has welcomed a big number of participants. “Over a relatively short period of time a modest meeting of compatriots on the bank of the Dnieper River has turned into a large-scale festival of folklife culture. Recently both we and the neighboring countries have been showing an increased interest in our roots and the origins of the national culture,” the Belarusian leader noted.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the most important thing is that young people strive to learn more about the history of their country as well as the basics of traditional arts and crafts.