MINSK, 2 July (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko presented state awards to distinguished Belarusians on 2 July, BelTA informs.
“Looking at you, I am very proud and grateful,” the head of state stressed. “We can say that today we have three reasons to celebrate.”
The president explained: “First, you are honored with state awards in recognition of professional achievements which glorify our Belarus and add bright and memorable pages to its modern chronicle.”
Second, this is an especially festive event as it takes places in the run-up to the most significant day – Independence Day – in the history of the Belarusian sovereign state.
Third, in 2020 the whole world celebrates the 75th anniversary of Great Victory in World War II. “We bow low to all veterans. And we remember very well that Belarusians are the descendants of the heroic and victorious Soviet people. In the face of the most devastating humanitarian catastrophe we lost one third of our population,” Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled. “Part of their immortality is in our children and grandchildren, in our professional achievements.”
The president thanked all the awardees for their work and added: “You are the people who are shaping opinions in our country. I have seen in the Internet: many people “shaping opinions” have emerged. I have joked recently that they'd better sort themselves out and think that no one apart from their relatives knows them, and they are allegedly shaping opinions.”
“You are the people who are shaping opinions, and you should do it for our land, for our country,” Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed confidence.
The today's ceremony was special as new lapel badges were presented to honored workers of various industries. New lapel badges were designed on the instruction of the president. Designers used Belarusian national patterns and symbols. Their exterior highlights the acknowledgement of outstanding achievements of awardees at the highest state level.
