LOGOISK DISTRICT, 16 April (BelTA) – Choosing the Khatyn Memorial Complex to work at on the nationwide voluntary labor day (aka subbotnik) was a no-brainer. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he participated in the nationwide subbotnik on 16 April, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Khatyn was a hands-down winner when I saw the list of locations I could work at. But most importantly it is history. It will turn 80 next year.”
“It is symbolical because today you and I have started the renovation of this monument and its revival,” he added.
The head of state mentioned that a village church near an old cemetery once stood in Khatyn. “And here, on this hill this heartwarming little wooden church is just asking to be restored. After walking about the place people will be able to come into the church and light up a candle here,” the president said.
In his words, the renovation of the memorial complex will be mostly completed by its 80th anniversary. “We've agreed that we have to add some little thing here every year,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
On the nationwide voluntary labor day Aleksandr Lukashenko worked as part of the crews tasked with planting a historical memory park: a total of 149 saplings were planted to match the number of dead residents of the village of Khatyn. Fruit trees and shrubs were also planted near symbolical log buildings. “As a symbol that life goes on regardless of how difficult things can be. And life goes on here, too, despite this cruel historical symbolism,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also stressed that all the money raised through voluntary work during the subbotnik will be spent on the development of the Khatyn Memorial Complex.
