The year 2018 has been declared the Year of Small Motherland in Belarus. This was announced by President Alexander Lukashenko at the solemn ceremony of awarding state decorations to the best agricultural workers of the republic, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The year 2018 has been declared the Year of Small Motherland in Belarus. This was announced by President Alexander Lukashenko at the solemn ceremony of awarding state decorations to the best agricultural workers of the republic, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The Head of State explained that the decision to take such an important step was prompted by reflections on the significance of one's small motherland in the destiny of every person. "It is multifaceted. For some, it is their native town, a street in the city or a small courtyard, a village where their best childhood years were spent; for others, it is a piece of wild nature that pleased the eye and gave a sense of fulfillment and peace. And for those who left to seek happiness in other countries, Belarus has become their small motherland," noted Alexander Lukashenko.
The President emphasized that the time has come for everyone not only to remember their roots, the place where a piece of their soul remains, but also to pay tribute to this patch of land. "I sincerely wish that help comes from the heart, becomes a personal initiative. It can be material, creative, educational, artistic – as each person can and as much as they can. It depends on the capabilities, imagination, and desire of each individual. The moment has come to prove oneself and to inscribe one's name in the history of this small motherland, this piece of our land," stated the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus is a beautiful and well-maintained country with clean, cozy cities, well-kept agricultural lands, and rich nature. "The state has done a lot in this direction and will not stop at what has been achieved. But there is no limit to perfection, and there will always be a place to apply one's own efforts. Belarus is our common home, and it is in our interest to make it cozy and exemplary," he said. "Let us show that we are true and diligent masters of our land. There are many of us, and therefore even the most modest contribution from each will play its role, making the country even more beautiful."
According to the Head of State, the personal involvement of each individual in this process will serve as an example of true patriotism for new generations, where beautiful slogans and words are backed by concrete deeds and actions.
"And this is not a task for one year. Perhaps several years. And it would be better if it became a way of life. Our native land needs the energy of love from every resident, their faith in their country and care for it. Belarus is as we see it, as we create it. And most importantly - as we are, so is it, our Belarus. The more successful, confident people there are in themselves and their country - the stronger the state. And the understanding of this connection must be passed on, like a gene, to our children," believes Alexander Lukashenko.
This is impossible without fostering pride in one's country, city, village, family. To instill these feelings, one must be responsible for one's words, deeds, actions, and for loved ones. "We must show our children that, no matter how their lives turn out in the future, they have a home, they have a small homeland, where they will always find solace and feel the invisible support of this land. I don't need to tell you what a small homeland is, especially what a village is, where perhaps only three to five houses are left - a once large village has turned into a very small corner, as we used to say, a хуторок. And I don't need to convince you that over the years one is drawn to where they took their first steps. While we have time and opportunities, let's save these хуторки," the President urged.
The Head of State drew attention to the fact that those who have the opportunity to rebuild and revive these villages should name them after themselves. "But we will preserve it. And if we look deeper into the essence of the year's theme, it will become clear that it is not the country, but we ourselves who need to do something good and useful for our native region. It is important for us to feel needed, generous. To ennoble our souls with beautiful, selfless deeds. To realize ourselves as masters of our own lives, self-sufficient people who not only sincerely rejoice in the successes of their country, but also feel a personal connection to them," Alexander Lukashenko summarised.