NOVOPOLOTSK, 9 January (BelTA) – Chairperson of Belarus’ Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova met with labor veterans from Novopolotsk as part of the nationwide charity campaign From Heart to Heart, BelTA has learned.
During the meeting, Natalya Kochanova spoke with senior residents who had witnessed the birth of the oil refinery and the city. The heartfelt dialogue generated a positive response from everyone present. Novopolotsk’s golden-agers posed questions to the speaker, ranging from the international situation to the development of Belarus.
Natalya Kochanova noted that 1.6 million citizens in our country have passed the 65-year mark, and 600 individuals have already celebrated their centennial jubilee. The chairperson of the Council of the Republic emphasized that the country is proud of the people who laid the foundation for our state’s development, built cities and enterprises, and contributed to the formation of the sovereign country. It is important for the current generation to preserve and build upon what has been passed down by their senior colleagues. “For the economy to work, enterprises must work,” the speaker stressed.
Participants showed interest in ways to realize their potential during retirement. They also exchanged experience of participating in various hobby groups and shared details of arranging tourist trips across Belarus and Russia. Natalya Kochanova suggested that the labor veterans join deputies from Novopolotsk on an excursion to the Council of the Republic, and her idea received a warm response from the attendees.
Visitors of the day-care unit for elderly citizens at the Novopolotsk center for social services presented creative performances. The golden-agers performed soulful songs, impressed the guests with dancing, and recited poems, in which they wholeheartedly thanked everyone for the attention and care.
Natalya Kochanova recalled that the From Heart to Heart campaign was initiated by the head of state three years ago. “Over the years of our sovereign Belarus, quite a few traditions have taken root, which we celebrate and observe. One of them is Our Children campaign. For many years now, on the initiative of our president, we have been congratulating children during these bright, festive days when we celebrate the New Year and Christmas. The head of state said that during these days we should meet not only with our children but also with people who, due to their age, now need our help, support, or perhaps simply a meeting to talk and thank them for what they have done for our country. Thanks to these people, we live today in a wonderful, sovereign, independent country,” the chairperson of the Council of the Republic told journalists.
The speaker noted that meetings with Novopolotsk residents are always special for her because she knows and remembers many of them from working together. In the speaker’s own words, the time when she headed the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee was a good experience for her. “Today’s meeting turned out to be so heartfelt and wonderful. These are people who truly deserve respect. They have built the enterprises that exist in this wonderful young city, they have built this city,” Natalya Kochanova said. “And you know, whenever I meet Novopolotsk residents, I remember the time when I worked here. I am grateful to every resident of Novopolotsk for our joint work, for the fact that all the good traditions laid down in this city are passed from generation to generation. For the fact that caring, hardworking, and wonderful people live here, doing everything to make the city beautiful and to strengthen the economic power of our country.”
Photos by Aleksandr Khitrov/BelTA
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