Expert: everyone in Belarus understands that the country was created for people, hence the roots of patriotism

Everyone in Belarus understands that the country was created for people, and patriotism is actually based on this truth – as stated by Aleksei Belyaev, the Dean of the Journalism Department at the Belarusian State University, in his talk with the Belarus 1 TV channel

Photo: video screenshot

During the recent nationwide subbotnik [voluntary working day], President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarusians are nationalistic in terms of love for their country.

“Belarusians are really patriots. We have something to be proud of," Mr. Belyaev emphasised. “Over the years of sovereignty and despite all challenges, we have managed to build our own state and our own socio-economic model. It is such that, unlike most of our neighbours, we do not face an initial stage of terrible capitalism, and we lack serious social stratification. Social justice reigns in Belarus, and our President always speaks of this. Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasises that the economy is above all. When our statesmen make decisions, they are always guided by the economy, by the real state of affairs.”

“What is patriotism? It is the love of a normal citizen for their normal country, where everyone takes care of each other, where everyone understands that the country is really created for people. Patriotism is rooted in this truth. We view and feel ourselves Belarusians. Actually, a Belarusian is a complicated concept, since many peoples lived on our territory. We have formed the Belarusian nation as a civil nation, with focus on a person, a citizen of Belarus – who recognises this land as their homeland, who is ready to live here, work for the country’s benefit and follow its laws,” the expert added.