Events

MINSK, 9 January (BelTA) – The state is always ready to back initiatives designed to improve all the aspects of life. The statement was made by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko at the ceremony held on 9 January to bestow awards for spiritual revival, the Belarus president’s special awards for people of culture and art, and the Belarus president’s special award Belarusian Sport Olympus 2013, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko quoted Belarusian writer Vladimir Korotkevich, who said once that every man carries his own sky with him. “Therefore, while lamenting the not so ideal state of affairs around you I would like you not to rush and blame the authorities for it. The authorities and the intellectuals share the responsibility for the country in equal measure,” said the head of state.

The President underlined that key awards of the year were bestowed on that day. They reflected two aspects of culture — the spiritual one and the physical one. Laureates of the Spiritual Revival award included clergymen, medics, social workers, people of culture, and charity organizations. Laureates of Belarusian Sport Olympus awards were coaches. “Their ability to raise champions represents a contribution to the spiritual force of the nation, too,” said the head of state.

The national culture should not be treated simplistically, only as folklore or works in Belarusian, remarked Alexander Lukashenko. “Our culture has many sides. It unites the spiritual experience of different nations and confessions, all kinds of art where the people’s talent is manifested. We have no right to and should not discard it,” stressed the President.

“Our culture should be the sphere of enlightenment and upbringing. It is necessary to develop humanistic traditions of the Belarusian art, support the standards of national art schools,” believes the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko congratulated all the laureates and wished them to strive for new accomplishments in light of the high praise of their efforts.