On the eve of Victory Day, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko presented state awards to distinguished figures from various fields, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The President noted that today's ceremony is traditionally timed to coincide with the holiday most revered by Belarusians, especially the older generation – the Great Victory Day. The Head of State recalled that 78 years ago (May 2, 1945), Berlin had already been captured, with the 1st Belorussian Front, commanded by Marshal Zhukov, playing a primary role in this achievement.
"In those May days, workers and peasants jubilantly held rallies, undertook increased labor commitments – the war was over. And we have preserved this sacred tradition," stated the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that on the eve of Victory Day, state awards are presented to those who, like the heroic fathers, mothers, and grandfathers of Belarusians, spare no effort, talent, time, and sometimes even their lives to conquer professional heights for the benefit of their native country.
Several dozen people were invited to the ceremony at the Palace of Independence. The President noted that the majority of them have experienced the joy of labor victories and represent the most peaceful professions. State awards and honorary titles were bestowed upon an entire enterprise – a dairy producer, teachers and doctors, cultural figures and scientists, builders and industrialists, machinery manufacturers, transport workers and economists, inventors and lawyers. As well as those who have chosen to fly in the sky as their life's work, dedicated themselves to art, preserve Belarus's pristine nature, and create beauty with meticulous precision.
Among the award recipients are representatives of the Operational-Analytical Centre under the President and the State Committee of Forensic Examinations, employees of the State Security Committee, internal affairs bodies, and the border service. "All those who have recently neutralized the saboteurs being infiltrated into our territory. As you can see, history repeats itself. Thank you, guys, for your excellent service. What you are doing is a daily victory over our enemy, unprincipled and ruthless. But we are stronger. Because truth is on our side. Just as in the Great Patriotic War, we are defending our home, our children," stressed Alexander Lukashenko.
The Order of Honour was presented by Alexander Lukashenko to Vasily Korzhov, Director General of the Narochansky National Park, and Valentina Baranova, a member of the district veterans' organisation of the Leninsky District of Grodno of the Belarusian Public Association of Veterans. Mikhail Kovalev, Deputy Head of the State Prosecution Department of the Prosecutor General's Office, and Vladimir Baranovsky, First Deputy Director for Procurement of OJSC "AMKODOR" - Management Company of the Holding, were also awarded this honour.
Valentina Baranova, a member of the district veterans' organisation of the Leninsky District of Grodno of the Belarusian Public Association of Veterans, has been awarded the Order of Honour.
Mikhail Kovalev, Deputy Head of the State Prosecution Department of the Prosecutor General's Office for supervision of legality of court decisions in criminal cases, has been awarded the Order of Honour.
Vladimir Baranovsky, First Deputy Director for Procurement of OJSC "AMKODOR" - Management Company of the Holding, has been awarded the Order of Honour.
The Order of Francis Skaryna was received from the Head of State by artist-sculptor Ivan Misko. The merits of Olga Brilon, lecturer-musicologist of the I. Zhinovich National Academic Folk Orchestra of Belarus, Lyudmila Rodionova, vocalist of the Youth Estrada Theatre, and Alexander Chizh, head of the radio photonics laboratory of the state scientific and production association "Optics, Optoelectronics and Laser Technology", were recognised with the Medal of Francis Skaryna.
Ivan Misko, artist-sculptor, member of the Belarusian Union of Artists, has been awarded the Order of Francis Skaryna.
Olga Brilon, lecturer-musicologist of the I. Zhinovich National Academic Folk Orchestra of Belarus, has been awarded the Medal of Francis Skaryna.
During the ceremony, the President also presented diplomas for the conferment of honorary titles. Vladislav Pligovka, leading stage master of the Belarusian State Philharmonic, became an Honoured Artist. Sergey Lishenko, Director of the Mogilev City Chapel, was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Art Worker, and Galina Belyaeva, Deputy Director for Educational Affairs of Secondary School No. 34 in Mogilev, was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Teacher.
Galina Belyaeva, Deputy Director for Educational Affairs of Secondary School No. 34 in Mogilev, has been awarded the honorary title of "Honoured Teacher of the Republic of Belarus".
The Grodno enterprise "Molochiy Mir" has been awarded the Order of Labour Glory. It is recognised for significant achievements in the processing industry, efficient operations, and the production of high-quality goods.
"I sincerely congratulate you on your well-deserved awards. I wish you robust health, well-being, and inspiration. Happy upcoming Victory Day! May this universally cherished holiday and the special ceremony dedicated to it serve as your guiding star on the path to new professional and life successes," wished the Head of State.
Source: belta.by