Expert: 2024 will primarily be associated with peace, work and creation in Belarus
President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s New Year greeting is on a leading position in the Trending section on YouTube. In numerous comments, Belarusians and foreigners post wishes of health to the Belarusian leader, and peace and prosperity to the republic. In his talk with Alfa Radio, Aleksei Belyaev, the Dean of the Journalism Department at the Belarusian State University noted that Belarus will definitely not turn away from its path of peaceful development and creation in 2024.
Mr. Belyaev began with saying that many videos of people watching Aleksandr Lukashenko's New Year address are available on YouTube and social networks, and this is impressive.
“For example, there is a video of Russians and Ukrainians in the United States watching the congratulations of the Belarusian President together. This is a symbol of 2023, which was the Year of Peace and Creation for us. In turn, 2024 – declared the Year of Quality in Belarus – is also primarily associated with peace, work and creation, because the quality of life and of everything that surrounds us is the result of our daily work," Mr. Belyaev said. “All labour people – who work no matter what, who try to contribute to the country’s prosperity and help others – deserve the warmest words. Actually, there is an interesting point: in the world where wars and crises are raging, Belarus maintains positive stability and continues its development. The President constantly emphasises that his personal attention will be paid to ensuring that everything works in the country, that people are provided with everything they need, that there is enough delicious, high-quality food, that Belarusian enterprises operate, and that exports of goods and services are ensured. The Head of State differs very favourably from many modern political figures who are trying to build some kind of new world by destroying the old one.”
As noted by the expert, the President spoke against the background of old Soviet banners, standards, which are stored in the Palace of Independence – the main place of power in the country. “We do not throw these banners into the dustbin of history, as our neighbours do. On the contrary, we are proud of the successes we have achieved and of the Soviet heritage. We are not going to abandon it, because it is the foundation on which modern Belarusian statehood is based. The respect towards the former symbols, combined with the maximum preservation of the traditions of those times, indicates that the state – based on long history and being the result of serious work of generations – has been formed in Belarus. We remember this work, appreciate it, and we are not going to give it up. The President's New Year address was filled with peace, kindness, and warmth, emphasising even in its smallest symbols and meanings that we are the heirs of the glorious traditions. We will cherish the latter, and their protection create one of the main strengths of Belarusians,” Mr. Belyaev stressed.
The programme presenter, Polina Konoga, stated that many foreign commentators appreciated Aleksandr Lukashenko's words of gratitude to the Belarusian people. Commenting on that, the expert said that he had received a greeting card from the President, “Clearly, such an attitude – when the Head of State thanks his people and appreciates everyone’s work and contribution – is worth a lot.”
