Lukashenko got acquainted with the improvement of Minsk and visited the reconstructed Loshitsky complex

"Have we restored everything what was alive here?" Alexander Lukashenko asked upon arrival at the complex. He was informed that there were still two objects on the park territory where work had to be completed.

Vladimir Kukharev reported on the implementation of the plan for the improvement of courtyard areas, the repair and painting of buildings, the repair of the street and road network, the planting of trees and green spaces, the installation of small architectural forms and the arrangement of playgrounds. 18 recreation areas have been improved.

The reconstruction of the Maxim Gorky Central Children's Park has been completed. By the end of the year, work is planned to begin on the territory of the Pishchalovsky Castle.

It was separately noted that the residents of the capital themselves should be actively involved in the improvement work.

As the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee reported to the Head of State, a new direction has become work with the population on civil initiatives, when people, including at their own expense, offer to improve courtyard areas. This year, 14 such projects have already been implemented. Citizens have contributed Br4.6 million for these purposes.

The President drew attention to the fact that this work should be included in the list of tasks for the heads of district administrations of Minsk. "We need to do this. Mobilize, unite, persuade, ask, offer and demand from people. Everyone should at least [eg: to invest in improvement] a small penny together with the state", the Head of State oriented. "We need to do this, because this is for the people."

At the opening ceremony of the reconstructed historical and cultural complex "Loshitsky" Alexander Lukashenko outlined the prospects for the development of the capital.

The head of state emphasized that Belarus is sensitive to the preservation and reconstruction of historical sites, and the Loshitsky complex is one such example. "My policy, and therefore yours, is to create and preserve," said Alexander Lukashenko. "We are preserving our cultural heritage, restoring, building. We will continue to do so."

The President thanked everyone who was involved in the reconstruction of the facility, its construction and improvement, wishing that the complex would become a center of attraction for city residents and guests of the capital, where they can relax and spend time with children. There is everything for this: a landscaped area, hotels, restaurants, halls and venues for various events. True, some buildings still need to be reconstructed. For example, the building of the old mill. Alexander Lukashenko believes that its former purpose should be preserved and a mill should be organized here. This will attract tourists and young people. "If we ground the grain collected in Belarus here and offered this bread to people, I am sure that people would come from Russia to buy this bread," the President noted. As an example, the Head of State cited a restored bakery in his small homeland, in the village of Kopys, where they now bake very tasty bread, which is in great demand, people even come from neighboring cities and towns.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that in the early 90s, the Loshitsky complex was abandoned and could have disappeared altogether. But the President decided to preserve it and restore it, which was done. Now there are facilities here intended for people of different generations and interests. For example, restaurants are more important for young people.

The President drew attention to the fact that improvement work is being carried out throughout Minsk and the entire country, and it will be continued. "We in Minsk, not only in this Year of Improvement, but also in the coming years, are determined to establish order like this (as in the Loshitsky complex. - Ed.), then you will maintain this order yourself. And we will do everything so that you have a place to come here and relax," he said.

Alexander Lukashenko said that, when discussing the development of the capital, he is sometimes worried whether he is making the city too "village-like", meaning that there are not so many objects typical of large industrial megacities, but more green areas and space for people. "Maybe someone very young will think: we need more of these "glass houses", "concrete". And when children appear (and this happens very quickly), then you will understand what it is like - when you can go out somewhere with a child calmly", - he noted.

"I think, Vladimir Yevgenyevich, we should not rush to build up Minsk, to stuff it where our businessmen really want it: give us this place, we will build housing here and so on", - the President noted, addressing the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Vladimir Kukharev. The head of state emphasized that the policy regarding housing construction in Minsk has already been determined and will remain the same: housing construction in the capital is carried out by state-owned companies that can guarantee the work will be completed, will not allow any fraud or overpricing, as happened earlier with some private individuals. There are also opportunities for private investors in Minsk, but only when they are ready to take on the social burden, bring in the latest technologies and attract significant financial resources. For example, this was the case with the investor who is building the Severny Bereg microdistrict in the capital, and along with it, the international exhibition center. "Whoever brings something to Belarus is welcome," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

The policy of the Head of State regarding the future development of Minsk will remain unchanged in the future - it cannot be overpopulated or built up with "glass and concrete."

The President emphasized that the Belarusian capital must be kept comfortable for living and in no case overpopulated, not to attract people here from all regions. Therefore, the development of satellite towns is underway - Rudensk, Dzerzhinsk, Smolevichi, Logoisk, Fanipol, Zaslavl, where infrastructure for comfortable living of people is being created, housing is being built.

And now there are options for technical solutions on the the Head of State's table on how to connect the capital and satellite towns by high-speed transport. "We are thinking about how to connect these areas with Minsk by fast technical means. Either there will be a railway or a monorail... We will see what is cheaper, what suits us better, - said Alexander Lukashenko. - So that people can come from, let's say, Dzerzhinsk to Minsk in 10 minutes."

During a conversation with builders and representatives of the public in the reconstructed complex, the President shared that he had thought about the question of what Minsk lacks and came to the following conclusion: "We have everything. We just need to develop."

According to Alexander Lukashenko, it is necessary to improve the territories everywhere and establish proper order. "It seems to me that Minsk has enough of everything. But we need to make this gloss," he said.

The head of state is confident that in Belarus, everyone in their place should do everything so that the country develops and lives peacefully.

"You are great. We survived the rebellion in 2020. We understood what could have happened. Now you understand, looking at Ukraine. And I have to work with this every day. You know, the American delegation regularly visits us here. We are holding certain negotiations with them. We will settle the situation. We will do it the way we need to," he said during a conversation with Minsk residents. "And don't say that "we are such a small republic, we can't do anything." It does not depend on the size - small, large, and so on. Now it depends on how united we are and how much we want to live on our own land. So that we are not ruled."

"Therefore, we will do everything in our place to live, work, build, modernize here, but not fight," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

Communicating with builders and representatives of the public, the President noted that against the backdrop of the policy of closing borders, which is being pursued by a number of countries, Belarus, on the contrary, demonstrates openness to foreigners.

"You should perceive foreigners normally. We have introduced a visa-free regime for everyone. They close everything to us there, and we tell them: "Come and see!" Well, the police and special services have a small workload, but that is their job they get paid for. It is not poor people who come here. They bring money here," the Head of State said.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarus has also become a popular destination for Russians who come for peace and quiet. "They want to come here and have a quiet rest. But, most importantly, the middle class, especially Russian society, has also come. Ordinary people, like us. They come here. They are already taking an example from us on how to live and develop," he said.

The head of state also touched on the topical issue of the harvesting campaign, noting that the harvesting of grain and cereals is almost complete. The harvest forecast for this year was about 11 million tons. But, judging by the current data, the figures will be even higher. About 9 million tons of grain, including rapeseed, have already been threshed from the country's fields. The corn harvest is still ongoing, it is planned to collect about 2 million tons. Thus, the total volume of grain will be about 11 million tons. "This is a lot. Rarely does a country harvest so much bread per capita. This means we will have bread," said Alexander Lukashenko.

As for potatoes, the availability of which in stores was problematic this spring, they grew enough to fully cover the needs of the population and also export them. According to the President, the situation with the shortage of potatoes was analyzed, there are many factors that led to it. "We know better now and will not allow it to happen again," the Head of State emphasized. On the instructions of Alexander Lukashenko, the area under potatoes was increased. "This year there is a good harvest. We will have potatoes," the President assured. During the conversation, the Head of State called for the active participation of Minsk residents in improvement work in the city. "Community work days. Clean up. We need to dig around on the ground. So that we don't just sit in restaurants, but on the ground. And preferably barefoot. If you walk barefoot, you won't get sick. This is my advice to you," said Alexander Lukashenko.

According to him, another guarantee of health is regular exercise. The President cited the example of China, where not only young people, but also pensioners are involved in physical education and sports.

"Do sports. I have always recommended it. Two hours a day. And take your children with you. This is so that you spend less time in hospitals, so that you are healthy. Health to you! As I say, we will buy everything else," said Alexander Lukashenko.

During his working visit, Alexander Lukashenko also got acquainted with the objects of the historical and cultural complex "Loshitsky".

At the entrance, the Head of State was met by the historical figure "Keeper of National Traditions", who read out the text of the charter: "A certificate confirming good intentions for the continuity and preservation of the cultural heritage of the capital city of Minsk. Every day, significant events in the lives of the capital's residents will take place in this building, and the traditions of celebrating Belarusian weddings will be preserved and multiplied.."

The keeper placed the charter on a stand, after which the Head of State sealed the charter with a wax seal.

Alexander Lukashenko visited the ceremonial hall. The wedding ceremony was taking place here.

After the newlyweds were declared husband and wife, the Head of State congratulated them, presented them with a bouquet of flowers and handed over the keys to their rental housing.

The newlyweds are named Dmitry and Polina. The President wished their marriage to be strong and long, but most importantly - health for them and their future children.

"It is basic to say: "Happiness and other things...". The main thing is that your children are healthy. If your children are healthy, you will be in a good mood, and it will be interesting to work. When children are sick, it is a disaster. Therefore, health to your children. Well, so that you are healthy," said the President.

He wished the parents of the young people all the best, happiness and success: "Don't worry, they will give you work. And to have more work! Three! We need three children in the family."

"We will try," answered the groom.

As for the rental apartment, it is located in Smolevichi. "An apartment with a hint. In Smolevichi. To live there. You can come to work (eg: in Minsk). That's the plan. We need to resettle Minsk somehow," the Head of State noted.

In addition to the ceremonial hall, the historical buildings of the "Loshitsky" complex housed a cafe and a hotel.

Inspired by the beauty of this corner, a young artist from Minsk named Evgenia painted a picture that she decided to present to Alexander Lukashenko. He gladly accepted the gift, promising to place it in the Palace of Independence.

The Head of State gave sweets to the girl in return, but decided not to limit himself to that. "I wanted to give a picture (note: I'll give it to you). But I don't know how to draw pictures. I'm thinking of giving you a potato, like my colleagues," he said, immediately giving the order to give a large bag of potatoes as a gift later.

He asked the artist whether she likes potatoes, and, receiving an affirmative answer, admitted that he himself likes this product. "I love it terribly. Yesterday I sinned, I ate," said Alexander Lukashenko, obviously referring to a certain diet that he tries to adhere to.

The President also said that the academicians invented a new kind of potato. "We need to give it to the population so that they can cultivate it on the plots. I can give it to anyone who has a dacha or a plot. Because seed potatoes can't be given out just like that. And you (note: we're talking about the artist who donated the painting) - food. It's delicious, you'll fry it," he said.

He urged everyone else to come and buy potatoes at the autumn fairs that will be held in the Belarusian capital: "The best potatoes. Come, at an acceptable price."