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Lukashenko on guests from afar at Alexandria festival: 4,000km is no distance for friendship

ALEXANDRIA, 11 July (BelTA) – When it comes to genuine friendship, 4,000 kilometers is not a distance at all, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the Kupala Night Festival (Alexandria Gathers Friends) in reference to the participation of delegations from Russia, BelTA has learned.

The head of state noted that this year’s Kupala Night Festival in Alexandria is already being held for the 17th time. Yet there is a bittersweet note to it, as another year has passed. Last time, over the course of two days, 115,000 people visited Alexandria. The president is confident that this year even more people will attend the festival in Alexandria, especially since the weather is favorable to participants and guests alike, despite the rains that fell in several regions of Belarus.

“The Lord has given us beautiful weather in between the rains. So the phrase ‘if the weather holds’ no longer applies. The weather will be just fine,” the head of state noted.

This year, delegations from Russia’s Chuvashia, Kurgan Oblast, Rostov Oblast, and Kemerovo Oblast took part in the festival on the banks of the Dnieper for the first time. “As you can see, 4,000 kilometers or even more is no obstacle when it comes to true friendship,” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.

“I want to welcome you, dear Russians, to this festival of ours. Thank you for coming,” the Belarusian leader added.

The president remarked that there were Ukrainians there, though not many. “To be honest, we would welcome many more. And I am certain that if we keep this festival alive, before long we will see a great many of our Ukrainians here, and they will be very happy to join us,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

At the same time, welcoming such a large number of guests, entertaining them, and feeding them is no easy task, as the head of state pointed out. “But the most important thing about this festival is to give these people a feeling of home. I am sure that everyone will leave Alexandria with wonderful impressions. I am deeply grateful to you for your attention and hospitality. The warm welcome that Belarusians extend to our guests here is what inspires people to return again and again. Here in Alexandria, we are glad to see everyone: adults, young people, and children alike,” he assured.

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