"I see an ambitious Belarus in your faces" - Lukashenko presented passports to young citizens of the country

Head of State Alexander Lukashenko presented passports to young Belarusian citizens in a solemn ceremony at the Palace of Independence, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

The event was attended by 25 Belarusians who have turned 14 years old. They arrived in the capital the day before from different regions of the country. Despite their young age, they have already achieved certain successes in their studies and demonstrated outstanding abilities in creative competitions, olympiads, and sports events.

Alexander Lukashenko personally handed each student their passport, noting that receiving this document has always been perceived as the first step into adult life.

"I know that you have already achieved certain successes in your studies, sports, and public affairs. This is wonderful, you are simply great," the President emphasized. "I am confident that your greatest victories are yet to come. At the same time, the state has ensured that all paths are open to you. And only your personal determination, perseverance, and diligence will determine the heights you and your peers can reach in the future." The Head of State stressed that everyone who came to the Palace of Independence today earned this opportunity through their achievements. "There are no random people here. These are people who know how to work and set an example for others, to lead them," he said.

The President noted that previous generations had done everything possible for the youth to be proud of their country. "Now it is your turn to develop, glorify, and, certainly in the future, as well as in the present, to defend Belarus," he said. "Perhaps you are not yet contemplating such important and complex concepts as the self-identity of a nation or the independence of a state. However, from the moment you were born, you became part of the Belarusian people, creators of its present and, of course, its future. Once you realise this, you will read the first words of the Constitution in a completely different light: 'We, the people of Belarus.' After all, the people are all of us who live, who lived before us, and who will live after us on this land. Therefore, we are united, and it depends on each of us what our country will be like tomorrow."

Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that regardless of their chosen profession, the main purpose of a citizen is to serve the Fatherland. "Patriotism is not just talk about how we love our Motherland (although we should talk about it). It is daily work for its benefit, the preservation of historical and cultural traditions, and the defence of the interests of the state and the lives of people. These are all values that our ancestors had to defend with weapons in their hands," Alexander Lukashenko emphasised. He recalled the heroic feat of those who, 75 years ago, won back the right to exist for Belarusians by defeating fascism. "They preserved life and freedom for all of us. I am convinced that you will cherish this legacy just as we do," said the Belarusian leader.

"In you, I see a new, positive, talented, and commendably ambitious Belarus. This makes me happy, as it does all your parents. Go forward towards your chosen goal, never give up, and, most importantly, never fear anything or anyone. Believe in yourselves, believe that if you move forward, you will certainly be helped, and, as a rule, on your native land, in your Belarus," the President addressed the young citizens of the country.

Dmitry Ivanov, a student from Bykhov Gymnasium, noted during the ceremony that he was very pleased to be a participant in the solemn event. He mentioned that he is a correspondent for the gymnasium newspaper, asked for a group photo with the President, and promised to deliver the latest issue of the publication to the Head of State.

All participants of the event received a gift from the Head of State: the book "I am a Citizen of the Republic of Belarus," sets of sweets, as well as valuable words of encouragement. "Be journalists, artists, engineers, agronomists – we will need all of these in our lives in our country. I wish you success, and most importantly, be happy. Do not rush to choose a profession, look around, you still have time. Otherwise, it will be like me: you rush, and then you have to study further," advised Alexander Lukashenko.

After the solemn ceremony, the students went on an excursion to the halls of the Palace of Independence and visited a special museum where various gifts presented to the President of Belarus by heads of other states and foreign delegations, as well as prominent figures from various fields, are exhibited.

The passport awarding ceremony by the President at the Palace of Independence was organised in anticipation of Constitution Day, which is celebrated in Belarus on March 15.

The first event of this kind took place last year, which was an anniversary year for the country's main law – on March 15, 2019, the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus was celebrated.