The "For Spiritual Revival" award is presented year after year for what Belarusians have done by the call of their hearts, not for show, in the name of art, not for sale. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the award ceremony for "For Spiritual Revival", special awards to cultural and art figures, and "Belarusian Sports Olympus" for 2025, a BELTA correspondent reports.
The Belarusian leader recalled that in the early nineties, in the first years of independence, the theme of searching for the Belarusian Orthodox relic - the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk - was very actively discussed. At that time, Alexander Lukashenko, being a presidential candidate, said in an interview to journalists that it was not the time to search for a rarity, but to restore the economy.
"But in a certain sense, we have found a shrine. Very quickly - in the heart of the people," he stressed. "We found this symbol of spirituality in people who, in the shortest possible time, restored the normal pace of development of the national economy. Who, despite the lack of money, developed the traditions of folk art and other forms of art - completely non-commercial and unpopular at that time. We found it in people of goodwill - merciful and selfless, who preserved their inner purity in such harsh times."
Soloist of the wind orchestra of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Minsk City Executive Committee Anna Blagova has been awarded a Special Prize of the President of Belarus
Xenia Pogorelaya, soloist-instrumentalist artist of the branch "Museum of the History of Architecture of St. Sophia Cathedral" of the National Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, has been awarded a Special Prize of the President of Belarus
The President noted that two years after the first presidential elections in Belarus, the "For Spiritual Revival" award was established from the money earned by the whole country. "Year after year, we present it for what has been done by the call of the heart, not for show. In the name of art, not for sale. For the good of the country, but not for glory," he said.
- Lukashenko stressed the importance of preserving unity in Belarus against the backdrop of the "madness" of the modern world
The Special Presidential Prize of Belarus was awarded to Elizaveta Chervontseva, a teacher at the M.K. Oginski Molodechno State Musical College.
The "For Spiritual Revival" Prize was awarded to a creative team consisting of Vladislava Artiukovskaya, artistic director of the Youth Estrada Theatre, and Anna Lukashenko, songwriter.
The Special Presidential Prize of Belarus was awarded to the team of the Brest Puppet Theatre.
The "For Spiritual Revival" Prize was awarded to a creative team of the National State Television and Radio Company.
The Head of State noted that the words "spirituality" and "culture" are closely interconnected and one is impossible without the other. "Culture is the pulse of life, the life of our people. If we preserve the material, creative, and spiritual heritage of our ancestors, we have a history. If there is something to preserve, it means there is a people, and therefore there is a state. Simple truths. And thank you to everyone who brings them to life – who cherishes historical memory, culture, and spiritual values," said the President.
The Belarusian leader emphasized the importance of the "For Spiritual Revival" award ceremony. "We have created a tradition that has become a cultural achievement of our generation. Our children will certainly preserve it. I am absolutely convinced of this. I am convinced because you, the laureates, are creative and very bright people. Your example is inspiring," said the Head of State.
Spartak Mironovich, Honoured Coach of the USSR and BSSR
Alexander Lukashenko congratulated the laureates of the "For Spiritual Revival" Prize, special prizes for figures of culture and art, and the "Belarusian Sports Olympus" Prize on their well-deserved awards. "Both the demand for it and the concept of the solemn event, which we are holding in the Palace of the Republic during these bright, festive days, came from life. From our shared history," noted Alexander Lukashenko.
The "Belarusian Sports Olympus" Special Prize was awarded to the Presidential Sports Club.
The staff of the National Academic Grand Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus has been awarded a Special Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus
The staff of the exemplary dance ensemble "Chabarok" of the Minsk State Palace of Children and Youth has been awarded a Special Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus
The staff of the Mosty District Library has been awarded a Special Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus
The prize "For Spiritual Revival" has been awarded to Viktor Shipkov, Senior District Police Inspector of the Public Security Police Department of the Internal Affairs Department of the Gomel District Executive Committee
Andrei Martynyuk, a master of folk arts and crafts at the Dzerzhinsk District Centre of Culture and Folk Art, has been awarded a Special Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus
Alexander Efremov, Artistic Director of the Honoured Collective of the Republic of Belarus Theatre-Studio of Film Actors of the National Film Studio "Belarusfilm", has been awarded a Special Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus
The prize "For Spiritual Revival" has been awarded to the authorial team of the National State Television and Radio Company
The Head of State also congratulated all Belarusians on Christmas: "May success accompany each of you in your endeavours, may all your dreams come true, and may your hearts be filled with good cheer, warmth, and, most importantly, joy. I wish you the most important things – peace, kindness, and well-being."