Conferment of state awards

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko presented state awards to women with many children and distinguished workers of various industries. He also presented shoulder boards to senior officers. The ceremony took place at the Palace of Independence on 7 March.

The head of state remarked that today’s event is a celebration of courage and beauty. There were two reasons to hold it: Fatherland Defenders’ Day and Women’s Day. “We have established a new tradition. We unite these holidays to honor and award the most beautiful and strongest compatriots at the highest level,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

The President remarked that Women’s Day has a 160-year history. It has its roots in the international movement to protect women’s civil rights. Today 8 March is a wonderful opportunity to honor women personifying beauty and tenderness, kindness and sensitivity.

“This is a sign of profound respect and appreciation of the crucial role of women in the society. They continue life on earth. All people cherish mother’s love, care and attention. True men always show a knightly attitude to women. You give us strength and courage, happiness and inspiration. You are like spring. You give us warmth, the desire to live and to be better,” the head of state said.

“It is women's tenderness and vulnerability that brings out noble feelings in men, and make them want to protect and to defend. A woman’s mission is to beautify the world, a man’s mission is to protect this world and women. It does not matter what social roles they apply to themselves. It is important that they remember their true calling and preserve the harmony of relations in the society,” the President said.

The head of state was very happy welcome the most courageous and bravest men of honor whose profession is to defend the Homeland at the Palace of Independence. Senior officers received major-general’s shoulder boards. “Now you will have higher responsibility,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “I am convinced that you will fulfill your duty with dignity.”

“I have always said and will repeat today that Belarusian women are the best and most beautiful women miraculously combining strong character with exceptional femininity. Many of you are very successful in your professions. For example, there have been great achievements in sport,” the head of state said.

The President also thanked mothers with many children. They have to cope with big emotional and physical pressure on a regular basis, they are responsible for their children, for the future of our citizens, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Belarusian women working in education and healthcare, culture and art, other branches of the economy and civil servants also deserve profound respect. “It is great that these wonderful, tender and loving women managed to balance their careers and family life. We are proud of such women,” the President said.

For giving birth to and bringing up five and more children Aleksandr Lukashenko presented the Orders of Mother to 18 women. Among the awardees were kindergarten teacher from Postavy Svetlana Ivanova, creative director of the folk song band Vabichanskiye Uzory Yelena Kalakustova, hospital nurse from Borisov Lyudmila Sviklistova.

The President presented state awards to representatives of various professions in recognition of the many-year productive work, exemplary fulfillment of service duties, attainment of high production results, sports achievements, and a big personal contribution to the development of healthcare and education.

Olympic champion Hanna Huskova received the Order of Fatherland 3^rd Class and the Honored Master of Sport of Belarus title. Professor of the teaching chair at the Belarusian State University of Physical Education, four-time Olympic champion Elena Belova was given the Order of Honor.

Medals for labor merits were conferred on worker of the Dnieper-Berezina water transport enterprise Nina Chernykh, first deputy head of the Grodno Oblast inspectorate at the Taxes and Duties Ministry Tamara Stasevich, director of the Minsk Oblast special education and rehabilitation center Nina Viktorovskaya.

The Medal of Francysk Skaryna was bestowed upon teacher of the Russian language and literature from Nesvizh District Inna Vinnik.

Major-general’s shoulder boards were presented to colonels Ruslan Kosygin, Vladimir Kulazhin and Maksim Mironov.

Besides, there was an excursion and a welcome reception at the Palace of Independence for the awardees.