Projects
Government Bodies
Flag Tuesday, 19 March 2024
All news
All news
Society
17 September 2021, 14:21

Opinion: New traditions of independent Belarus are established today

MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – New traditions of independent Belarus are established today. Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Sergeyenko made the statement during the opening ceremony of Narodnogo Yedinstva Square [People's Unity Square] in Mogilev, BelTA has learned.

Igor Sergeyenko said: “I would like to congratulate all of you on the new state holiday of Belarus – People's Unity Day. 17 September 1939 became an act of historic justice. It was on this day that the reunification of Western Belarus and Eastern Belarus had begun. The idea to establish such a holiday was born during preparations for the 6th Belarusian People's Congress. The relevant proposal was made and backed during a nationwide discussion back then. And the head of state signed the decree in June 2021 to establish this holiday. Today you and I can see how new traditions are established in our country.”

The official noted that Mogilev received three important gifts on 17 September. “A new road the city needed so much, the redecorated square with a new name, and a commemorative sign – the city received all these gifts on People's Unity Day,” Igor Sergeyenko stressed. “During my frequent trips to Mogilev I see how the city changes thanks to efforts of the city administration and the oblast administration, thanks to efforts of construction workers and Mogilev residents. The weather is rough today but despite that we are in a festive mood. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend this celebration. I am grateful for your initiative, which was born in Mogilev – to be one of the first to open a commemorative sign dedicated to People's Unity Day.”

Narodnogo Yedinstva Square is located in Mogilev's downtown near the Mogilev Oblast Treatment and Diagnostics Center. A commemorative sign dedicated to People's Unity Day was unveiled there on 17 September. The Mogilev sculptor Aleksandr Minkov is its author.

About 2,000 people turned up for the occasion, including representatives of worker collectives, public associations, young Belarusians, veterans, Mogilev guests and residents. An extensive concert program was prepared for them – the best music bands and singers of Mogilev performed in the open air.

In his speech Chairman of the Mogilev Oblast Executive Committee Leonid Zayats noted: “We know how fragile civil accord is, how quickly it is possible to lose what you and I have built together – a calm, beautiful, and independent country. Last year's events taught us a very valuable lesson. They reminded us that it is our common duty to do everything we can to preserve the unity of the Belarusian people. Today we unveil a square of significance for the city. The commemorative sign that has been erected in the square is a symbol of the link between times, generations, and of the unity of the Belarusian people.”

The commemorative sign is made of granite. There is a cornflower on top of it and the Belarusian ornamental pattern to the sides of it. The author of the sculptural composition noted that it is a festive day despite the bad weather. “It is a great honor and a great responsibility to create a sculptural composition ahead of our first People's Unity Day. The unveiling ceremony is always exciting, this is why I am here with my entire family,” Aleksandr Minkov said. “I've tried to make my work for the people who live here, for the guests that will visit Mogilev. And certainly for the future generations.”

Aleksandr Minkov's 10-year-old son Andrei came to support the sculptor on this important day. The boy said he was proud of his father. “There are always plenty of people taking a walk here. My friends and I often come to this place, too. Now I will tell everyone that my father made it. When I grow up, I may become a sculptor, too,” he said.

Subscribe to us
Twitter
Recent news from Belarus