MINSK, 1 March (BelTA) – Belarus needs a national idea the entire country will support. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he met with representatives of the general public and expert community, Belarusian and foreign mass media on 1 March, BelTA has learned.
Alexander Lukashenko said: “We've been unable to clearly formulate a national idea so far. An idea the entire nation will embrace. Everything I've been offered [patriotism, sovereignty, independence as the national idea] was something too worn out, something that doesn't fit us, doesn't rub us the right way as people say. I'd be extremely grateful if someone could formulate this idea and convince me that it is just what we need.” He suggested determining the way the Belarusian society should discuss the national idea that would resonate well with the soul of the entire nation.
The head of state drew attention to drawbacks in ideology work in the country. “Times have changed. It is necessary to do it some other way,” he stated.
As part of the discussion about forms of ideology work Alexander Lukashenko mentioned the Immortal Regiment campaign. He pointed out that Belarus has its own campaign Belarus Remembers, which is similar in essence and the external shape to the Russian one. The campaign Belarus Remembers was launched in Belarus much earlier than the Immortal Regiment campaign in Russia was. “We welcome the fact that our Russian brothers do it this way but we have our own name for it,” the head of state said.
The president also remarked that new forms of ideology work are necessary, for instance, flash mobs, which should target primarily young Belarusians. “They understand things better via flash mobs, via some kinds of demonstrations, 1 May rallies that we used to have once. Although we shouldn't forget them. So many people turn up for rallies and parades on 9 May. We've gradually made, roughly speaking, young Belarusians part of this good deed,” he remarked.
Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that it is necessary to work out fundamental directions of ideology work. He also stressed that if a new form of this work at the level of the head of state emerges in Belarus, it should be converted into a tradition. “It will be a Belarusian thing, something to bequeath to our children,” the president added.
