Aleksandr Lukashenko
MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – A national idea cannot be born in Belarus simply by signing a presidential decree or by making demand. It needs to mature and capture hearts and minds of the people. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he hosted a meeting with ideology specialists, historians, and experts on 17 September on the occasion of People’s Unity Day, BelTA has learned.
One of the questions the head of state had to answer touched upon the national idea. Vadim Gigin, Chairman of the Board of the republican state public association Belarusian Society Znanie, said that the expert community has two opinions about the national idea. Some believe that it is necessary to work out and approve one, for instance, by a presidential decree. To be honest, the effort may result in dogmatism. Other people, including Vadim Gigin, are convinced that the key task at present is to focus on practical aspects of ideological work instead of crafting theories and chase after the blue bird of the national idea.
“Nobody will pressure anyone with regard to the national idea. Because for me it is the matter of utmost importance in ideology. And I have talked about it more than once,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “Nobody is going to sign any decree and we will not legislate [this idea].”
The president noted that variants that could have been made into the national idea had been suggested to him in the past but he rejected them because his intuition told him these ideas could not win public support. “For instance, let’s make patriotism the national idea. Well, I looked at it from various angles. Yes, okay, patriotism. We welcome it. But will everyone take up arms [for this idea]? I feel that such an idea has not been born,” the head of state noted.
“It cannot simply appear out of thin air once the decree is signed or the demand is made. Out of the question,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. He explained that he would not sign such a document. “We’d better create nothing now, in Lukashenko’s time than create something inept without knowing what to do with it later on.”
The process of creation of the national idea will be heavily influenced by the expert community, historians, and scientists, the head of state believes. The idea needs to come into being in minds, it needs to mature and reach the level of public discussion. “The key is to discuss things. I will never sign any idea, I will never make it a national one and I will not push for it if it doesn’t capture you, your hearts and minds,” the Belarusian leader assured.
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