Conferment of state awards

The Day of People's Unity in Belarus started with the ceremony to present state awards by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko at the Palace of Independence.

“This is a very special day for our country. We are celebrating the Day of People's Unity - a day that marks the triumph of historical justice. Eighty-five years ago the liberation march of the Red Army put an end to our struggle for self-determination. The people, divided for many years into western and eastern Belarusians, became a single nation. We had all kinds of times afterwards: a dramatic and heroic period of the Great Patriotic War, and a peaceful and creative period after the Great Victory. Today, people who continue the traditions of those who did not back down in the face of hardships of the past century, who developed, defended and brought prosperity to our country, have gathered at the Palace of Independence,” the head of state said.

The awardees included education and healthcare workers. “You are always close to people, and sometimes you know more about our problems than our family and friends,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

Belarus is also proud of its scientists and manufacturers who have fulfilled, among other things, the dream of Belarusians of making a people’s car.

“Today we thank cultural figures for their talent and mastery. You enrich the national heritage, shape the future leaving a bright mark in art,” the Belarusian leader continued.

The president thanked coaches who raised new Olympic medalists. “The Summer Olympics became another important chapter in the history of national sports. They tried to sideline us, deprive us of our flag and anthem. But the world still talked about Belarusians, admired their victories together with us. And it is talking about us again thanks to the brilliant performance of the Belarusian team at the World Championship in Fire and Rescue Sports. Nine medals - five gold, two silver and two bronze, a world record. Each success glorifies our country. This is a real gift for us today and the result of your titanic work!”

Among the participants in the ceremony were also rescuers and power engineers, utility workers and foresters who worked selflessly to eliminate the aftermath of this summer’s hurricane, and helped people get back to normal life in the shortest possible time. “We can rise up to any challenge. We know this after we handled this natural disaster,” the president noted.

“And, of course, we thank people in uniform who protect law and order in our country, and thanks to that we have the opportunity to make plans for the future and fulfill our dreams,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.

“This is what we call people's unity - when everyone is focused on their tasks and goals, when people join efforts to make Belarus beautiful, nice, prosperous and peaceful,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

The head of state congratulated everyone on their high awards and honorary titles. “Your achievements made this festive day at the Palace of Independence special. Thank you for your work! Thanks to everyone who was by your side along the way and helped you succeed - your family, loved ones, friends, team members, your fellow servicemen. A personal award is always the result of teamwork. Also, behind every achievement of the country in the past and present there has always been and will be the efforts of all our people,” he said.

Head coach of the national trampoline team Olga Vlasova and athlete-instructor Ivan Litvinovich were awarded the Order of the Fatherland 1st Class and 2nd Class, respectively. Athlete-instructor Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya and coach-psychologist of the national trampoline team Irina Konon, athlete-instructor of the national rowing team Yauheni Zalaty, chief designer of Minsk Automobile Plant Aleksandr Myshko were awarded the Order of Honor.

For achieving outstanding athletic results and great services to physical culture and sports, athlete-instructor of the national team for disabled sports Ihar Boki was awarded the Order of the Fatherland 2nd Class; senior coach Gennady Vishnyakov and athlete-instructor of the team Dzmitry Salei were awarded the Medal for Labor Merits. The Honored Master of Sport of Belarus title was presented to athlete-instructor Yahor Shchalkanau.

The Medal for Labor Merits was awarded to head coach of the national rowing team Vitaly Bely, coach of the national trampoline team Olga Stankevich and athlete-instructor of the national weightlifting team Yauheni Tsikhantsou.

Employees of the Emergencies Ministry were awarded the Order of Honor and commendation letters of the president for their contribution to fire and rescue sports and for achieving high results. Those were Nikita Ukolov (Order of Honor), Aleksandra Poshvenchuk and Anton Tarasevich.

Head of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties of Leninsky District of Mogilev Mikhail Bondarenko was awarded the Order of Honor for many years of dedicated work, exceptional professionalism, exemplary performance, and a significant personal contribution to improving the tax system.

The Medal for Excellence in the Prevention and Mitigation of Emergencies was presented to feller of the Lopatichy Forestry of the Chausy Forestry Enterprise Yevgeny Belchenko and forester of the Duboy Forestry of the Stolin Forestry Enterprise Vasily Verenich.

Director of the Skarbnitsa enterprise that makes Belarusian folk crafts Maria Taraikovich was awarded the Honored Figure of Culture of Belarus title.

Artistic Director of the Ballet of the Belarusian State Academic Honored Choreographic Ensemble Khoroshki Irina Grushova received the Honored Artist of Belarus title.

The Honored Figure of Culture of Belarus title was presented to Artistic Director of the Valery Abel People's Circus of the Kostyukovka Community Center Tatiana Abel, chairs of the Vitebsk and Grodno regional branches of the Belarusian Writers' Union Tamara Gusachenko and Lyudmila Kebich, as well as Head of the Model Circus Art Studio Arena Boris Kuznetsov.

Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences Aleksandr Kilchevsky and Chief Researcher of the Integrated Micro- and Nanosystems Research Laboratory of the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics Vladimir Labunov were awarded the Honored Scientist of Belarus title.

Director of Gomel Gymnasium No. 51 Aleksandr Pakhuchy received the Honored Worker of Education of Belarus title.

The Honored Worker of Healthcare of Belarus title was bestowed upon Head Physician of Grodno City Hospital No. 4 Aleksandr Surov; Director of the BelGee car manufacturer Gennady Svidersky and Chief Specialist for Economic Matters at Minsk Tractor Works Valentin Chikunov were awarded the Honored Worker of the Manufacturing Sector of Belarus title.

Director of the Vesta company Reiman Veniaminov received the Honored Worker of the Services Sector of Belarus title.

The Honored Coach of Belarus title was conferred upon senior coach of the national weightlifting team Valery Sizenok.

Prosecutor General of Belarus Andrei Shved received the Honored Lawyer of Belarus title.

Colonel Andrei Yesis and Major General of Justice Aleksandr Rakhmanov were awarded the Order for Service to the Homeland 3rd Class.

Addressing the awardees Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked: “You are special people. And on this special day for the country, I once again congratulate you on receiving these high state awards. The best of the best are here. I will be glad to meet with you, God willing, once again, and perhaps more than once in this hall, to present you with more state awards. I am sure you will make this happen. You deserve it. I wish you happiness, success! And most importantly health. As I say, everything else can be bought. Happy Day of People's Unity!”