Old New Year reception
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State awards were conferred at the reception held on behalf of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko to celebrate Old New Year on 11 January.
The Old New Year reception brings together journalists, artists, athletes, civil servants and other people who have made significant achievements in their work.
“There are people here who are united by one great quality – commitment. You are sincerely committed to your jobs, give your all, generously share your experience. I am especially pleased to see many young people here who will build, protect and represent our Motherland on the international arena tomorrow,” the President believes.
Their work and example inspire millions of committed compatriots who sincerely love Belarus to reach new heights. “Your noble mission is to be useful, needed, to be in the spotlight. We all are in the spotlight indeed. This is a difficult and noble mission, and we must fulfill it with dignity,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“We say goodbye to the year 2018 and try to look at the year 2019 through the veil of life concerns and difficulties. Life is a run for every one of us today. We cannot stop. If you slow down to a walk you will be lagging behind,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked: “The year will be different for all of us. For some it will be easy, for some it will be hard. But I dare say that not only 2019 but 2020, too will not be simple for our country, for our people. Those are not simple years because, sincerely speaking, we will be sorely tested in these two years. If we talk about specifics, whether we deserve the independence we talk about all the time or not will be tested.”
“And we should stand ready to answer that question. I am absolutely convinced we will find a worthy response,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “The year will be a special one for sports, too. I’ve talked about it. The year will not be easy, yet it will be interesting as a reporter put it a short while ago.”
The head of state presented the Order of Fatherland 3rd Class to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei, the Medal of Francysk Skaryna to singer Ruslan Alekhno. Singer Iskui Abalyan-Barovskaya, actress Valeria Arlanova and ballet dancer Lyudmila Khitrova became honored artists of Belarus. Gymnast Katsiaryna Halkina received the Honored Master of Sport of Belarus title.
Letters of commendation were given to several workers of mass media, including deputy head of the political observers’ department of the main directorate of the Television News Agency of the National State Television and Radio Company Natalya Golub and deputy director of the information coverage directorate of ZAO Stolichnoye Televideniye Irina Martyanova, editor-in-chief of the Znamya Yunosti newspaper Nikolai Machekin.
Besides, letters of commendation were given to general producer of the general production center of the National State Television and Radio Company Gleb Shulman and head of the information and analytical department of the National Press Center of Belarus Ivan Lovets.