Year of Historical Memory

Lukashenko approves of memory lesson, agrees to stand in as teacher

MINSK, 20 May (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has approved of the idea of arranging a memory lesson and has agreed to stand in as a teacher. The possibility was discussed as the head of state met with pioneers on 20 May as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the pioneer movement, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested timing the lesson to, for instance, 1 September and holding it in the Palace of Independence. Arranging the event in the Great Patriotic War museum was also suggested. The head of state backed it up as well.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that an informal, beautiful lesson plan is needed so that the lesson would be popular with the kids.

On the whole, Aleksandr Lukashenko approved of the endeavors of pioneers and young Belarusians, which are meant to preserve historical memory, including the nation’s heroic deed and deeds of individual heroes during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Not only well-known names were mentioned. “You are doing a very good deed. A huge number of people, thousands upon thousands of people committed as great deeds back then but nobody knows about them. Heroes live as long as people talk about them and remember their names. This is why I am deeply grateful to you for such an initiative. It is a good deed for any school.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the war had affected the entire territory of Belarus. “God forbid if it happens again. I think it is impossible for these war years, the ones that happened and what our nation endured to be repeated today or tomorrow. It is impossible. Because time is completely different and wars are totally different. What happened then, particularly in the territory of Belarus, the republic that suffered most, will not happen today or tomorrow,” he stressed.

The president also supported the initiative to create a TV show Memory of the Heart. Young hosts could invite heirs of the Great Victory to come to the show and share the stories their families have preserved. “Let’s try it. Starting with the second channel. We’ll try. If you can do it, if you can compete with other shows,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He stressed that not only stories about the war itself are important. The generation of those, who helped rebuild the country and Minsk from the ashes, could tell as many interesting stories, too.

“This is why try and make this show. Tell me when it airs, I want to see it as well. If it works, we will promote it,” the president concluded.

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