Nationwide New Year’s ball in the Palace of Independence

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in the first nationwide New Year’s ball in the Palace of Independence on 28 December.

Among them are recipients of scholarships from the special fund of the Belarus President for the social support of talented students, winners of presidential scholarships, participants of national scientific contests, winners and prize holders of numerous creative international and national competitions and festivals.
Opening the ball, the head of state said that he was happy to see talented, graceful and inspired young people in the Palace of Independence. “Thanks to you, this austere hall of the Palace of Independence has become informal and elegant,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

This is the first time that Belarus has arranged a classical New Year’s Ball at the official level reviving the beautiful tradition of days gone by. “Back then these social events were almost the only place where young people could socialize. Today these places are many. But you know, you can recognize a person only by looking into their eyes. I very much hope that you will make good reliable friends here, and this will be the beginning of a good tradition of the sovereign and independent Belarus,” the President said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko added that the young people present at the ball in the Palace of Independence were not random invitees. “This ball is a token of appreciation of your diligence, hard work, excellence in studies, and your creativity. The best of the best are present here today. You are the most active and progressive part of our population,” the head of state said.

The President admitted that the government and young Belarusians may not always see eye to eye. In his opinion, it is only natural. “I’d say it is a classic relation between elder and younger people, fathers and children,” explained the head of state. “On the whole, the most important thing is that we look in the same direction – the future of our Belarus.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed he was absolutely sure of it because he had talked to young Belarusians a lot in 2018 and these meetings had lived up to his expectations. “You are the future of our country. And you understand that success is all about labor, the knowledge of what you want from life.”

On New Year’s eve Aleksandr Lukashenko wished young Belarusians to set the most grandiose goals and even unattainable goals before them. “If you lose this time, you will accomplish nothing in your life. You may not reach the heights you aspire to right away, but I am sure you will always reach the peak,” concluded the head of state.