MINSK, 16 December (BelTA) - About 3.5 million Belarusians live abroad, Deputy of the House of Representatives, Head of the Working Group on the Affairs of Belarusians Abroad of the National Assembly Vladimir Gavrilovich told the media on the sidelines of a meeting of the Advisory Council for Belarusians Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, BelTA learned.
“To date, approximately 3.5 million Belarusians live outside Belarus and there are 220 public organizations of Belarusians abroad,” the MP said.
“Next year we are planning to hold such teleconferences almost once a quarter. They will be dedicated to the topics that connect us. Besides, we will announce a media contest for the public organizations of Belarusians abroad. There will be two nominations: favorite poem dedicated to the Great Patriotic War and a favorite song sang in a family,” Vladimir Gavrilovich shared the plans.
“To date, approximately 3.5 million Belarusians live outside Belarus and there are 220 public organizations of Belarusians abroad,” the MP said.
Vladimir Gavrilovich noted that many Belarusians abroad are great-grandchildren of the compatriots who left for other countries back in the 18th-19th centuries.
“But they retain their national identity and are proud to be Belarusians. Sometimes even, they are more Belarusian than you and me. They often speaker better native language than you and me,” the MP noted. “The most important thing is that they rally together: recently I met with a Belarusian woman, who got married in Germany 30 years ago, and now she is very active and rallied together not only Belarusians, but also other Slavs around her. They celebrate Kupala Night and Independence Day of Belarus together in the central part of Germany. People living 400-500 kilometers away come together these holidays”.
The MP said that this year an international teleconference with Belarusians living in other countries was held for the first time. It was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the law “On Belarusians Abroad” and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. The Parliament is ready to listen to the suggestions of the compatriots to organize new joint events.
“But they retain their national identity and are proud to be Belarusians. Sometimes even, they are more Belarusian than you and me. They often speaker better native language than you and me,” the MP noted. “The most important thing is that they rally together: recently I met with a Belarusian woman, who got married in Germany 30 years ago, and now she is very active and rallied together not only Belarusians, but also other Slavs around her. They celebrate Kupala Night and Independence Day of Belarus together in the central part of Germany. People living 400-500 kilometers away come together these holidays”.
The MP said that this year an international teleconference with Belarusians living in other countries was held for the first time. It was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the law “On Belarusians Abroad” and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. The Parliament is ready to listen to the suggestions of the compatriots to organize new joint events.
“Next year we are planning to hold such teleconferences almost once a quarter. They will be dedicated to the topics that connect us. Besides, we will announce a media contest for the public organizations of Belarusians abroad. There will be two nominations: favorite poem dedicated to the Great Patriotic War and a favorite song sang in a family,” Vladimir Gavrilovich shared the plans.
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