Lukashenko: talk of independence means nothing without memory of unconquered people’s heroic feat
The choice of the date of Belarus’ main national holiday is historically justified and heartfelt by every Belarusian – as stated by President Aleksandr Lukashenko at today’s solemn meeting and Voice of Native Land festive concert hosted by the Palace of the Republic
photo: www.president.gov.by
The Head of State emphasised that Belarusians continue the history of the unconquered people at present, “The memory of their feat is a matter of national dignity, and any talk of independence, sovereignty and freedom is mere words without it. We rely on real experience, real achievements.”
The President asked rhetorical questions: how many nations that were brought to the brink of total annihilation, like the Soviet people, Belarusians, but withstood with weapons in their hands are known; how many states that, just like us, heroically held off the blow of an entire army of Nazi military formations assembled from thirty European countries are known?
“Soldiers, partisans, underground fighters were the ones who were in the foreground of the struggle. Women, the aged and children fought as well – doing that as equals, with weapons in their hands. It was on our land that the invaders faced massive and comprehensive resistance, and they witnessed the unparalleled courage of our countrymen, whose spirit was strong and unbroken," the Belarusian leader emphasised.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that Belarusians certainly share the glory of the Victory over Nazi occupiers with the former Soviet republics, “We remember all those who fought to the death while defending every inch of our land. We respect the history of the country that defeated Nazi Germany and its satellites. In the 1990s, we consciously chose the path of historical successors of that great power. The concept of ‘fraternal peoples’ is not a figure of speech for us: it is a legacy that we cherish.”
The Head of State emphasised that it is only in Belarus that people celebrate Independence Day on a par with Great Victory Day. “This is because then, at the most acute moment of the victorious offensive of the Red Army, the day of Minsk’s liberation became a harbinger of the victorious May 9th, a symbol of the rebirth of the Belarusian land and of all Soviet people. The choice of the date of our main national holiday is historically justified and heartfelt by every Belarusian. This choice is based not only on the will of us, the contemporaries who could not have done otherwise, but also of our fathers and grandfathers,” he said.
The President warmly and cordially addressed the entire generation of veterans who stood an incredible attack and won the epochal battle – ‘the battle for the life of your children and grandchildren, for our life and for the life of those who will come after us’. “I bow low to you! Your generation performed a feat, and there has never been anything equal to the latter in the history. Will it ever be?.. Today, together with you, we bow our heads again in memory of the heroes of that war. Eternal glory and immeasurable gratitude through the ages to all those who accomplished a military and labour feat, the one that has become our moral guideline,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
