New Year’s charity event for children

Every country draws strength from its traditions, and in Belarus, one long-standing, excellent tradition is to congratulate children on the New Year holidays, including as part of the Our Children campaign, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a New Year’s charity event held at the Palace of the Republic.

“A country is always strong through traditions. If there are traditions, it means there is a country. It means this country has a certain special quality,” the President stressed. It is precisely the existence of such traditions that distinguishes Belarus from other countries, Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out. 

“A very good tradition was born here long ago, which is to greet you, little ones, adults, your teachers, caregivers, parents -everyone who has small children and everyone involved in raising children during these Christmas and New Year holidays. It is a good tradition to congratulate our children, to meet with our children. Especially those who are in very, very great need. Although there are no children in our country, or in the world, who do not need attention and gifts.”

In this regard, the President expressed special gratitude to everyone who contributes each year to making this charity event for children possible. “I want to thank our adults,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Thank you for the attention you give to our children during these New Year holidays.”

The head of state specifically noted the joyful atmosphere in the hall: "One can hear from a kilometer away from the Palace of the Republic that you are having fun here.” The good mood, he said, is also explained by the fact that children in the country are currently enjoying a “double” holiday: on one hand, everyone is seeing off the old year and awaiting the arrival of the new one, 2026, and on the other, students have finally reached the pleasant, school-free time of winter break. “Therefore, it’s a double holiday: New Year and school holidays,” the President said.

“Father Frost and Snow Maiden have already pleased us with snow and a bit of frost. They promise it will get even frostier, and we will probably be able to celebrate the New Year this year, truly, like never before. Snow and frost at this time mean good cheer. I see that you have plenty of that,” remarked the head of state.

“I am fully aware that the children in this hall are all quite different from one another. It is a common notion – different children. And indeed they are different, including in their personal circumstances. But, my dear friends, take it from my life experience: while our childhoods may vary, today, more than ever, we all have equal opportunities. The key is our willingness to work hard,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state emphasized that education must be the foremost priority for school students. “If you study diligently, you will have a bright future. It means you can become the person you aspire to be. So, without any lengthy lectures – just study. If you waste this time, you will never regain it. It will simply slip away,” he stressed.

In this context, the President noted that educators and teachers were also present in the hall of the Palace of the Republic alongside the children. “Thank you for the tremendous effort you invest in our children. I know how hard it is. Perhaps, as a state, we have not given you the attention you deserve. Please guide us on this, and we will certainly address this shortcoming,” the head of state assured.

Aleksandr Lukashenko again expressed his gratitude to the teachers for nurturing true patriots of Belarus. “And if you raise patriots, then you yourselves are patriots. And you must definitely be these patriots,” he added. 

“I have already spoken a lot about work and study. I know you did not come here solely for that. Perhaps you have already seen Father Frost and Snow Maiden. You, I, and the millions of people who will see you are all awaiting this magic from our Father Frost and Snow Maiden,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked, inviting the children to thank these fairytale characters for the holiday.

The President took part in the country’s main New Year’s celebration at the Palace of the Republic. This celebration is the central event of the Our Children charity campaign. This year, a spectacular performance, “The Magic of the New Year,” featuring fairytale characters and the main symbols of the winter holidays, has been prepared for the children.

About 2,400 children from all regions of Belarus have been invited to the event at the Palace of the Republic. Students from cadet schools and specialized lyceums, winners of various Olympiads, creative competitions, and contests, students who have distinguished themselves in community service, orphans, children from large families and refugee families, and children affected by the Chernobyl disaster had the opportunity to see this breathtaking New Year’s performance. The event provides children with both a joyful atmosphere and gifts from the head of state.