Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 June (BelTA) – Belarus shows the whole world an example of cherishing true values, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the ceremony of laying a time capsule at the Trostenets Memorial on 8 June, BelTA has learned.

“The President wished war veterans many years of life and stressed that to a large extent it is they, not monuments, that pass the memory of the war and the postwar years to the young generation. No matter how much we talk about our victories, grief and misfortune, the human memory is arranged to forget things with time. When the last one of you leaves us, it will be a big problem. I am afraid that memorials will not refill your absence,” the head of state noted. “You promised me some 5-10 years ago that you will live. This is the main thing. The youth will remember while you, who witnessed the war and saw the postwar period, are alive,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that he does his best to initiate the construction of monuments, and memorials, including the new building of the Museum of the Great Patriotic War “for the people who come to this world after us to remember these horrible years.”

The President also talked about the events in Europe where traditional values are sometimes denied and questioned, where centuries-long traditions are destroyed. “Never mind me, I have never been understood in Europe. Some enlightenment, however, happens, as I saw it in Ukraine yesterday. People who live and work in Europe are concerned with what is going on there. I am proud of my people who are a stronghold of these values,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

“Today they honor us for the fact that we have remained those people who should live on this land and show an example of how to live and build relations to others. We demonstrate the true values to the entire Europe, the whole world and aim to keep these values,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

According to the President, many people value Belarus for this and even eager to move here. “A huge resettlement is underway, and these are not only refugees but also rich and middle-class people. It is thanks to the peace we have today,” the President said.

“Time will come and we will be rich materially because we are rich spiritually,” the Belarusian leader is confident.