MINSK, 9 January (BelTA) - The notion ‘spiritual revival' is not just a beautiful metaphor for the Belarusian nation but a hymn to its destiny, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a ceremony held on 9 January to bestow For Spiritual Revival awards, special prizes, and Belarusian Sport Olympus prizes, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted that today's ceremony takes a special place in a series of New Year's events. Among its heroes are the winners of the For Spiritual Revival awards, the people with the noble desire to make the world a kinder and more beautiful place.
“When we come to think about it, the very notion ‘spiritual revival' is not just a beautiful metaphor for the Belarusian nation but a hymn to its destiny,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
The president noted that the Belarusian land has had to go through a lot of ordeals but it would always revive and thrive even more. “Our national identity has been molding for centuries. We have become wiser, more tolerant, and, most importantly, stronger in our belief in goodness,” the head of state underlined.
He drew attention to the fact that art which was born on the Belarusian land has always been constructive in nature. The rich heritage of the ancestors celebrates Belarus and the names of many educators, cultural figures, politicians and science have taken their worthy places in the annals of history.
“We are proud of our history and our land, the birthplace of many famous people – our compatriots. We know our roots, honor the traditions. We easily embrace new things which do not contradict our laws and values. At a time when the world is losing its spiritual guidelines, we strive to preserve the inner purity,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
This happens not by itself but through the example and active work of remarkable people with big ideas, lofty aspirations, people sincere and unselfish in their deeds. “Their work is not measured in numbers and some economic indicators. It has no price and certainly deserves recognition at the highest level and merits respect and gratitude of the entire Belarusian nation,” he believes.
Four awards “For Spiritual Revival” were awarded in 2018. The recipients include the authors of music and lyrics Yulia Bykova and Evgeny Oleynik, the Biblical Commission of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the section for the translation of liturgical texts and official documents of the Catholic Church of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments under the aegis of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Belarus, the Belarusian children's hospice and the care home for children with special needs in the village of Vesnovo.
Nine special prizes of the Belarus president in culture and art have been presented in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of professional art, folk and amateur art, education and patriotic upbringing of creative youth, charity that received public recognition.
The president presented the awards to representatives of the Academic Song and Dance Company of the Armed Forces of Belarus, Postavy territorial center of social services, the Belarusian State Choreography College and folk family ensemble Svayaki from the village of Yubileiny, Volkovysk District.
Special prizes also went to the Sudby [Fates] creative team of former young prisoners of fascism, the folk instrumental ensemble Nesvizhskie Lozhkari, the leading actor of the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater People's Artist of Belarus Viktor Manayev, Miss Belarus 2018 and Miss World Europe Maria Vasilevich, the team of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB) comprising the head of the special projects department of the main office for culture and social work at the FTUB Council Sergei Komadey, his deputy Elena Golubeva, head of the Gantsevichi district association of trade union organizations Natalia Kondratovich.
The head of state bestowed Belarusian Sport Olympus 2018 prizes upon the athlete-instructor of the national athletics team Volha Mazuronak, the deputy head of the sport division of ZAO Second National TV Channel Boris Gersten, and the senior coach of the trampoline department at Grodno Olympic Reserve School No.3 Irina Baranovskaya.
Alexander Lukashenko congratulated everyone on the well-deserved awards. “I also would like to wish you, the best representatives of our intellectuals, the elite of our society, a Happy New Year and a Merry Christmas. I wish you and your families happiness, prosperity and peace,” the head of state said.
