Belta photo correspondent Alexander Khitrov has been awarded the honorary title "Person of the Year of the Vitebsk Region" for 2016, a Belta correspondent reports from the awards ceremony.
The solemn event is currently taking place at the Vitebsk Concert Hall, with the laureates being awarded by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev.
Alexander Khitrov has been working at Belta since 1994. For over 20 years, he has been documenting the life of the region through his photographs, capturing the most vivid and significant events. The photojournalist's skill and professionalism have been recognized with numerous awards, including a commemorative prize from the directorate of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk International Arts Festival. Alexander Khitrov is among the winners of the Golden Literature National Competition for Printed Media and the Golden Pen Republican Competition, as well as the regional media competition for the F. Skorina Prize. The photojournalist's personal exhibitions have been held at the Day of Writing in Glubokoye and the Slavianski Bazaar Festival in Vitebsk. For his significant contribution to the implementation of Belarus's social policy and his conscientious work in journalism, Belta photo correspondent has been awarded a Certificate of Honour of the National Assembly.
Every year (since 2009), 100 residents of the region, representing various sectors of the national economy, including industry, agro-industrial complex, healthcare, education, housing and communal services, service sector, culture, law enforcement agencies, small and medium-sized businesses, energy, physical culture and sports, etc., become laureates of the honorary title "Person of the Year of the Vitebsk Region".
The best people of the region receive laureate diplomas and monetary awards. In addition, according to tradition, billboards with their photographs will adorn the settlements of the region throughout the year.