The Belarusian state is built on the principles of peace and accord. This was stated on January 9 by the Head of State, Alexander Lukashenko, during the award ceremony for the President of the Republic of Belarus Prize "For Spiritual Revival", special prizes of the President of the Republic of Belarus for cultural and art figures, and the special prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus "Belarusian Sport Olympus", as reported to BELTA by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
The Belarusian state is built on the principles of peace and accord. This was stated on January 9 by the Head of State, Alexander Lukashenko, during the award ceremony for the President of the Republic of Belarus Prize "For Spiritual Revival", special prizes of the President of the Republic of Belarus for cultural and art figures, and the special prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus "Belarusian Sport Olympus", as reported to BELTA by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
During the ceremony, Alexander Lukashenko emphasised that the awarding of the "For Spiritual Revival" prize is not by chance timed to coincide with the Nativity of Christ. "After all, adherence to Christian values, moral and aesthetic traditions is one of the main factors in the development of the Belarusian nation and the preservation of its unity," said the President.
"The events among our neighbours show what the neglect of these can lead to. The wave of inter-ethnic, inter-confessional conflicts and terrorist threats has engulfed the whole world today," stated the Head of State.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that in these conditions, the unity and cohesion of the people acquire special value. "As it is said in the Gospel: 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.' History teaches that only peace and accord serve as a reliable foundation for the prosperity of any country. It is on this foundation that we will build and are building our state," declared the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko noted: "The Belarusian people have always strived for a creative life based on hard work, justice, and mutual assistance. Therefore, since time immemorial, people who work to uphold these fundamental moral principles have been honoured in our country. We are awarding those who have dedicated their lives to acts of mercy and helping their neighbours." The prize "For Spiritual Revival" was awarded to the collectives of the Republican Boarding School for War and Labour Veterans and the educational and production workshops of the parish of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "All Sorrows Joy".
The President stressed that one of the main goals of the Belarusian state is to create conditions for the self-realisation of young citizens who are ready to apply their strengths and abilities for the benefit of the Fatherland. "And on this solemn day, we pay tribute to the people who work day after day to achieve this goal. The National Children's Educational and Health Centre "Zubronok" and the Belarusian Republican Youth Union have been awarded high honours," said the Head of State.
The coming year is the year of the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, Alexander Lukashenko reminded. "Everything possible is being done in Belarus to preserve the memory of it. We protect historical truth and strive to draw invaluable lessons from it. Thanks to the work and talent of cultural workers, a modern building of the Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War was commissioned last year, and a new exposition was created in the memorial complex "Brest Fortress-Hero". We are also celebrating the merits of these teams today," Alexander Lukashenko added.
Belarus is open to adopting global experience. "However, while learning the culture of other peoples, it is important not to dissolve in it, not to lose one's identity. We are awarding those who create modern works in various genres, drawing on our artistic heritage, worldview, and traditions," said the Head of State.
During the ceremony, those who nurture future champions were also honoured. "We want a healthy lifestyle, a love for sports, and active recreation among people of different ages to also become a good tradition. And, of course, our country should be enriched by the brilliant triumphs of Belarusian professional athletes who have dedicated their lives to high-performance sports," the Head of State emphasised. Belarus has long and firmly established itself among the sporting powers. The Head of State noted that the past year was marked by bright and memorable sporting events for Belarusians. "For the first time in the entire history of sovereign Belarus, we hosted a world championship. Our athletes also performed with dignity at the Olympic Games in Sochi," stated Alexander Lukashenko.
The President stressed that the awarding of the "For Spiritual Revival" prizes, special prizes to figures of culture and art, and "Belarusian Sport Olympus" confirms the ancient truth: good deeds are always rewarded. The Head of State thanked the awardees for setting an example of service to society and sincere love for their native land.