Lukashenko presented awards to employees of Belarus President Property Management Directorate organisations
On August 1st, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko presented state awards to employees of the organisations that are part of the Belarus President Property Management Directorate system. In total, there are more than 30 people on the list of awardees. Orders, medals and honorary titles have been awarded to them for many years of fruitful work, high professionalism, personal contribution to the development of the agro-industrial complex, protection of flora and fauna, significant achievements in civil service and industrial activities, merits in the construction industry, provision of hotel services, strengthening and protection of public health, culture and arts.
Addressing the awardees, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that today’s ceremony is special, “It’s unique in some ways, bringing together representatives of one large, hopefully cohesive team – the President Property Management Directorate – which was established by us three decades ago, just a month after the first presidential elections in the history of sovereign Belarus. Everyone probably thinks that the President Property Management Directorate includes those who run after the President, at best they will feed and clothe him. No. These are thousands of people who not only feed and cure people, but also produce food. This is a huge department.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that 30 years ago it was a small unit providing logistical support for the work of state agencies of a young independent country, “Now, over 20,000 people are working in this system for the benefit of our country: those involved in housing and communal services, construction, culture, healthcare, sanatorium treatment, trade, catering, diplomatic service, and hotels.”
The Head of State particularly noted the work of 6,000 farmers, stressing that they are leaders in the country across many areas of agricultural production.
“Thousands of charitable initiatives and socially significant projects are the merit of the Humanitarian Affairs Department,” Aleksandr Lukashenko continued. “Meanwhile, perhaps the most important thing is that the Property Management Directorate preserves our national heritage. You are responsible for the world famous natural brands of Belarus. The Belovezhskaya Pushcha, other national parks, the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, endless forests with amazing flora and fauna, blue lakes are not just an invaluable gift from God and ancestors. I remember when – during my early presidency – we had huge problems with these parks because Belarusians, our neighbours, and those from distant countries rushed here to grab a piece of these natural territories in order to build something there. Some have even managed to build. However, within a year we removed all of these from our parks and reserves, meaning that our people, our neighbours, anyone else can come there but only to rest. It was forbidden to divide nature reserves and parks. This is something that we should and will pass on to our descendants in its original form. Moreover, we also have to preserve and pass on to them our unique cultural code, which includes our native Belarusian language and folk crafts. There are no others like this on Earth and there will not be.”
Another topic is the support of folk traditions, crafts and craftspeople.
“We have preserved dozens of ancient folk traditions and thousands of the most talented masters. Some of them – boasting half a century of experience – are present in this hall today. Almost all of you have your own pupils. Therefore, our children and we, as well as numerous tourists, know what the famous Slutsk belts, vytinankas [an openwork pattern cut out of paper: black, white or coloured], vyshivankas [embroidered shirts and dresses in Belarusian national costumes], woven rushniks [towels], pottery pots look like. We have not lost the art of weaving from vines and straws, painting on glass, wood and fabric. All this could have been sacrificed, all this would have disappeared if we hadn’t preserved this. I had to make decisions. Wherever I went, people asked me to help. Thus, I gave the relevant instructions to the President Property Management Directorate,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Addressing the participants of the ceremony, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed, “I’m absolutely convinced that today’s ceremony will be a new incentive for everyone to work. You will work even better, because there is no nobler thing in the world than working for the benefit of your country, your Belarus. Time has chosen us, there is no getting away from it. And it chose to make us even stronger and more beautiful.”
