VITEBSK, 10 July (BelTA) – At the opening ceremony of the 34th International Arts Festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk on 10 July, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled the cultural genocide of the Belarusian people and called on countries to protect their traditions, BelTA has learned.
Addressing visitors to the festival, both those who came to Vitebsk for the first time and those who come here every year, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that Belarusians, like no one else, know how fragile the world is.
“This year we mark the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. Generations have changed, but Belarus remembers its war heroes. On this festive evening, I will not talk about the terrible price that we paid for the Great Victory. I am sure that absolutely all the attendees know about it. I will not talk about many talented people whose lives were cut short or never had the chance to exist... I will only talk about the damage the occupiers inflicted on our cultural heritage. These are tens of thousands of relics, including the sacred cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, a collection of Slutsk sashes, ancient icons and books. They embody the history of the Belarusian land, our identity. We have not found them yet. I hope they are not lost forever,” the head of state remarked.
Only a small part of these valuable artifacts returned to Belarus after the war. According to the president, this was a real cultural genocide, an attempt to destroy the heritage of Belarusian people, to deprive them of their foundation.
“Therefore, our dear friends, friends of Belarus, cherish your history and your traditions. They are our future. The future of your countries, the whole world that is beautiful in its cultural diversity,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
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