Lutsky: state symbols reflect Belarus’ national values
State symbols of Belarus reflect our national values and identity of our people, revealing their soul, history, and aspirations – as stated by Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Lutsky before the start of a meeting of the Republican Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Council for Patriotic Education of the Population, focusing on the formation of respectful attitude towards the country’s state symbols
Igor Lutsky noted in his talk with journalists that respect and trust for state symbols have always been high in our country, “According to our Constitution, as a sovereign state, the Republic of Belarus has its own state symbols: the national flag, the national emblem and the national anthem. Amendments have been also introduced into our Constitution regarding respect for state symbols. Whoever is on Belarus’ territory must treat them properly! The current meeting will consider issues of developing a respectful attitude towards state symbols as part of civic-patriotic education. This is a very important aspect.”
At the same time, the Deputy Head of the President Administration noted, “In recent time, you can see for yourself how highly our state symbols become perceived. Meanwhile, there are certain points that we must discuss, both organisational and legal, as well as ideological. We need to move on, we must understand that we cannot stop on this path. As soon as the grip is loosened, problems may immediately appear.”
The official is convinced that respect for our symbols is laid down from childhood: in the family and educational institutions.
“Representatives of various public organisations and government bodies will explore these topics today. We look forward to a constructive dialogue which should bring real practical results, enabling us to continue to respect, appreciate, love and be proud of our symbols,” he underlined, adding that ‘state symbols reflect our national values and the identity of our people, revealing their soul, history, and aspirations’.
Answering the question why it is important to know and respect state symbols, Igor Lutsky noted, “This is our history, a reflection of our identity. We – Belarusians – have always been proud of our symbols. Our flag boasts a unique ornament originating from the depths of centuries and reflecting our traditions and consciousness. If we lose our traditions, we lose our country, our sovereignty. In line with Article 19 of the Constitution, these are symbols of a sovereign state!”
Speaking about modern digital technologies and their applied importance in the patriotic education of the population, the official said, “This will also be discussed today. Promoting respect and love for our symbols in the digital environment in the form of various actions is also promising. You see how many of them take place on TikTok and Instagram, how people post their photos with state symbols. We see that this greatly enhances our patriotic spirit. Of course, we will continue working in this direction.”
Before the start of the meeting, a thematic exhibition was unveiled in Belarus’ National Library foyer, exploring the history of the formation of state symbols of the BSSR and sovereign Belarus. An exhibition of Belarusian goods with state symbols was also on show.
The Republican Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Council for Patriotic Education of the Population of the Republic of Belarus was established in order to ensure co-ordinated work in this area at the interdepartmental level. It is a permanent collegial advisory body for co-ordinating interaction of state run public authorities, local executive and regulatory bodies, public associations, and others interested in the patriotic education of the population.
According to the regulation approved by the Council of Ministers in December 2021, the council is tasked to analyse the effectiveness of the implementation of the programme of patriotic education of the population for 2022-2025 and to take measures to improve it, to formulate proposals and recommendations – aimed at implementing measures for patriotic education, identifying effective models and methods patriotic education of the population – as well as to prepare proposals for their implementation in Belarus.
