Belarus president responds to critics of Victory Day parade
18:50, 9 May
Photo: BelTA
During the army parade held on 9 May to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet people's victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made a few comments in response to those, who criticize the organization of the parade.
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The head of state pointed out that the tragedy of the Belarusian nation, which bore the titanic burden of losses and destruction of the cruelest war of the 20th century, is incomparable to any hardships of today. Even thoughts to betray the traditions that have been glorifying the history of the great deeds of the victors for 75 years already are unthinkable for the country, he said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stated: “In this crazy world that has lost its reference points and guidelines there are people, who condemn us for choosing this place and time for organizing this holy celebration. I would like to tell them as a human being: don't rush to make conclusions or condemn us, the successors of the Victory, Belarusians. We just couldn't act differently, we didn't have a choice. And if we did, we would have done the same anyway! Because eyes of the Soviet soldiers, who died for the sake of our freedom, look at us, eyes of the partisans and underground resistance fighters, who were tortured to death by Gestapo, eyes of the old people, women, and children of Khatyn. They wanted to live very much, but they died so that we could live!”
The president noted that modern Belarus is a monument to that dreadful war, to those, who died, who were tortured to death and burnt alive. “A living memory and a living monument,” the Belarusian leader stated.
