MOLODECHNO, 12 October (BelTA) - A landmark meeting was held today at the railway station in Molodechno as part of the national social and cultural event Marathon of Unity, BelTA has learned.
The meeting featured cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya, Hero of Belarus, and cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, a native of Belarus, Hero of Russia. The Meet-and-Greet in Molodechno was also attended by Vadim Gigin, a member of the House of Representatives, director of the National Library of Belarus, and popular radio host Vadim Shepet.
Space photo of Molodechno
One of the questions, of course, was about Molodechno. Oleg Novitsky was asked if he had seen Molodechno from space.
"I took pictures of the whole of Belarus. We fly over Belarus in eight or ten seconds. It's very fast. I have been looking for my hometown for almost six months. Nevertheless, I did take a picture of Cherven [Oleg Novitsky's hometown], filmed all the regional cities. I am sure Molodechno is in them somewhere. I will find it," the cosmonaut assured.
Why 14 is a lucky number for Marina Vasilevskaya
Marina Vasilevskaya was asked what emotions she experienced when Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko presented her with the country’s highest honor of the Hero of Belarus.
"It was unexpected for me. This is the highest award in our country, and I was overwhelmed. I was a bit weak physically as very little time had passed since landing. But, thank God, everything went well. I want to say that this is not my victory, it is our common victory," Marina Vasilevskaya emphasized.
Marina Vasilevskaya pointed out that she had spent 14 days in space and confessed that 14 is an important number for her. “I have the 14th star of the Hero of Belarus. I was born of 14 September. This is a very frequent number is in my life,” she added.
What book Novitsky would take with him to the ISS
Anna from Molodechno said that the only space library is on the International Space Station. The woman asked Oleg Novitsky what book he would take with him to space.
“I am a keen reader. I prefer paper books to digital ones. I have never taken a book to the ISS,” Oleg Novitsky said and explained that there is a weight limit on personal items for a cosmonaut.
“I really like The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. This is a wonderful book that I know almost by heart. Perhaps it was my love for books that led me to cosmonautics,” Oleg Novitsky added.
Whom Vasilevskaya is grateful to for her space dream
Marina Vasilevskaya was asked to whom she is grateful for her dream of space and, most importantly, for the implementation of this dream.
“That is a very good question. I am grateful to my parents. And also to my loved ones, family and friends. And, of course, to our head of state – Belarusian President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko. Without the participation of our president there would have been no flight of the first cosmonaut of sovereign Belarus,” Marina Vasilevskaya said.
The meeting ended on a bright note. Oleg Novitsky celebrates his birthday on 12 October, and everyone had a chance to congratulate him. At the end of the meeting all the Meet and Greet participants and guests sang the song “Hope” written by composer Aleksandra Pakhmutova and poet Nikolai Dobronravov.
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