GRODNO, 13 April (BelTA) – Anyone can realize their potential as a person and can build their career in Belarus regardless of their nationality and faith, BelTA learned from Aleksandr Songin, chairman of the public association Union of Poles in Belarus, member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus.
The MP said: “The nationality of a person does not affect life in the country, personal and professional growth, and their career. If a citizen of the Republic of Belarus whatever his or her ethnicity may be observes laws, neither the state nor people around will have any problems with the citizen.”
In his opinion, statements claiming that rights of Poles in Belarus are infringed upon are unwarranted. “I am over 50 years old already. I've never felt oppression with regard to myself, my parents, grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles and aunts, neighbors, who are also Poles. Honestly speaking, I've never had reasons to think about it. We've always lived happily in the native land and have never encountered any ill feelings,” Aleksandr Songin said. In his opinion, a career and the ability to realize one's potential depend primarily on personal qualities of the person, their diligence, the ability to accomplish goals instead of nationality or faith.
The MP pointed out that a lot of Poles work in executive positions in various industries. There are many Poles in the sphere of education that is quite close to Aleksandr Songin: he used to work as a school principal, the head of a district education department and then an oblast education department. “I've never encountered attempts to separate someone on the basis of their ethnicity in the course of my career. By the way, I've never tried to analyze it but I think I am not the only Pole in the parliament. How many Belarusians that belong to national minorities are represented in supreme bodies of power in the countries that criticize us today?” the MP pointed out.
Aleksandr Songin said that close attention is paid to support and development of Polish culture, traditions, and the language in the country. He mentioned major events such as the festival of national cultures in Grodno, the Polonaise festival in Slonim, the arts and crafts festival Kazyuki and minor yet important events – contests and academic excellence competitions for those, who recite Polish poetry, for language scholars, themed meetings in educational institutions. “Nobody forbids studying the Polish language, speaking Polish at home, singing a song during a celebration or a cultural event. During meetings of our association I always try to speak several phrases in Polish. By the way, I have become an active user of the Polish library in Grodno. I read books about various things. I encounter no issues,” he said.
Aleksandr Songin stressed that Poles and representatives of other nationalities should not forget that they are first and foremost citizens of the Republic of Belarus. It is important to appreciate and preserve interethnic and confessional peace and accord. Some forces may not like the situation. They reject all the good things that have been built over the years and are being done now. “In my opinion, it is always simpler to criticize something instead of rolling up your sleeves and doing something positive,” the MP concluded.
