Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 September (BelTA) – A monument to the Belarusian diaspora is a symbol of Belarus’ strengthening independence, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the ceremony to open the sculpture in Minsk on 8 September, BelTA has learned.

“The sculpture symbolizes a difficult road of Belarus’ daughters and sons who by force of circumstances, have ended up in different parts of the world, but kept their love to the Motherland,” said Vladimir Makei. In his words, the sculptural composition in the form of a wheel means a movement forward towards the strengthening of the independence and wellbeing of the people, its unity.

The minister emphasized the importance of the fact that the sculpture is opened in the year when Belarus celebrates 500 years of the Belarusian book printing directly related to Francysk Skaryna whose many-sided personality unites the Belarusians of the world.

According to Vladimir Makei, the seventh congress of the Belarusians of the world was held in 2017. The participants of the meeting demonstrated the mutual commitment to strengthening Belarus’ independence. On 8 September the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a meeting of the Consultative Council for Belarusians Abroad. Over the past 25 years Belarus has turned into an independent state which pursues a multipronged policy and makes a contribution to the strengthening of the international dialogue. The country has no conflicts with and claims to other states. The country maintains peace, including interdenominational concord. “Belarus is always happy to welcome its compatriots, and we are glad to maintain a dialogue with other states,” Vladimir Makei said.

Belarus Culture Minister Boris Svetlov, for his part, greeted numerous guests, including the Belarusian diaspora who have come to attend the opening ceremony of the commemorative sign. He stressed that the sculptural composition is a symbol of history and independence and also an intercultural dialogue.

Head of the organization Belarusians of Moscow Oksana Solopova noted that Belarus is the only state where such a monument was installed. She stressed the importance of further development of the dialogue between Belarus and the Belarusian diaspora.

The event was attended by authors of the sculpture Alexander Finsky and Armen Sardarov. They said that the sculpture was erected on the bank of the Svisloch River where an ancient wheel was discovered during thee first archeological digs.