Distinguished Belarusians honored with state awards

“I am happy to see you here today in the run-up to the important political event – the Address to the Belarusian People and the National Assembly,” the Belarusian leader said addressing the participants of the ceremony.

In his words, the ceremony has brought together distinguished representatives of various professions from Belarus and abroad who are united by outstanding professionalism and commitment. “In their hearts these people are true Belarusians,” he said.

The head of state emphasized that Belarusians are peaceful and hard-working people, and they are optimistic about the future as they know that everything is in their hands. “Your achievements are the brightest example of that. Almost every one of you has reliable colleagues. I am convinced that very soon we will honor new distinguished representatives of your organizations,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the ceremony is also attended by doctors. “Today the Belarusian healthcare system is not only dealing with a virus blow but also continues to provide medical care in other fields (probably, you have heard that the provision of other medical services is stopped for 3-4 weeks in other countries when the number of virus cases is on the rise). We should not be scared of anything with such committed doctors,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

The president thanked Belarusian scientists whose research projects help apply cutting-edge ideas in production and be competitive on the market. He also thanked teachers for laying foundation of knowledge and training highly qualified specialists.

“I am grateful to those who are doing their best to preserve the historical memory, develop culture and art, help us remember our roots, make a truly invaluable contribution to the spiritual code of our nation,” the head of state continued.

Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked Belarusian farmers: “They are modest and hard-working people who provide food for the whole country.”

“All these things are possible only in countries with peace and accord. They are like air. You don't see them when you have them,” the president said and added that the ceremony is also attended by people in uniform protecting the state border, the country's security and our lives. “Thank you for your service, loyalty and resolution to handle all internal threats,” the head of state added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko sincerely thanked those who raised the Belarusian flag and a copy of the Victory Banner on top of Mount Everest. “This is deeply symbolic: in very difficult conditions they carried the most important and valuable things on top of Mount Everest,” head of state said.

In his words, the emotions which Belarusian people experienced looking at these flag can be compared with the feeling of huge pride for the country in moments when Belarusian athletes win. “This meeting is attended by a member of Team Belarus at the Tokyo Olympics. Belarusian people hope that the flag of our country will be also raised in honor of our athletes at the Olympic Games in Beijing which will start in a week,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. He expressed hope that the today's ceremony will inspire many people to do new good deeds.

The president presented state awards and diplomas to those present at the ceremony. Among the awardees were representatives of the healthcare industry, law enforcement, agriculture, culture and sport.

The Order of Fatherland 3rd Class conferred on Aleksei Shkadarevich, director of the scientific and technical center Lemt BelOMO, and Oleg Ivashkevich, chief researcher of the Laboratory of the Chemistry of Condensed Matter of the BSU Research Institute of Physical and Chemical Problems.

The Order of Honor is presented to Viktor Voishnarovich, director of the Oshmyany State Agrarian and Economic College; Anatoly Yelenich, worker of the Minsk Electrotechnical Plant named after V.I.Kozlov; and Larisa Danilova, head of the Endocrinology Chair of the Belarusian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education. This ward was also presented to athlete-instructor of the Sports Committee of the Armed Forces Maksim Nedasekau for his great performance at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

In recognition of the many-year productive work, exemplary fulfillment of service duties, a big personal contribution to ensuring legality, maintenance and law and order, crime prevention the Order for Service to the Homeland 3rd Class has been conferred on Valery Kulikovich, head of the Bureau of Internal Affairs of the Prosecutor-General's Office.

In recognition of great sports achievements, professionalism, a big contribution to the promotion of Belarusian sport on the international arena, raising the Belarusian state flag on top of Mount Everest the Order of Francysk Skaryna was presented to Honorary Consul of Indonesia in Kyrgyzstan Eduard Kubatov, Director General of Vekprom, member of the Belarusian Mountain Climbing Federation Vadim Frolov, and Dircetor of OOO Vertikal Georgy Shulepov.

A big group of representatives of various professions received honorary titles. Sergei Petkevich, actor and chief stage performer of the Brest Academic Drama Theater; Olga Golovach and Yulia Golovina, ballet dancers of the State Academic Dance Company; and Aleksandr Avramenko, soloist of the song and dance company of the Ministry of Internal Affairs received the Honored Artist of Belarus titles. Vladimir Gavrilovich, chairman of the Gomel Oblast department of the Union of Writers; and Larisa Bibik, deputy director for research of the memorial complex Brest Hero Fortress received the Honored Figure of Culture of Belarus titles. Director of Sovkhoz Rachkovichi Nikolai Krasutsky and Director of OAO Gastellovskoye Stanislav Sokolovsky received the Honored Worker of Agriculture of Belarus titles.

Semyon Naumovich, head of the Dental Orthopedics Chair of the Belarusian State Medical University, and Vladimir Tarasik, professor of the Transport and Technological Machines Chair of the Belarusian-Russian University, received the Honored Scientist of Belarus titles. Viktor Kokhnyuk, deputy director for surgery of the Aleksandrov National Cancer Center of Belarus, received the Honored Doctor of Belarus title.

Before the ceremony there was a tour of the Palace of Independence for the awardees.