Lukashenko attends New Year charity event for children

MINSK, 27 December (BelTA) – President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko wished children to be true patriots of their Fatherland at the New Year charity event “Our Children” on 27 December, BelTA has learnt.

“We, adults, are looking forward to New Year as much as you are. We enjoy this holiday because you make us enjoy it,” the President said.

The head of state noted that in line with the tradition, the solemn reception in the Palace of the Republic is the culmination of the charity event “Our Children”: “All over the country children receive gifts from adults. It is a great charity campaign. Only in Belarus it has turned into such a large-scale event,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. The President thanked all the adults who organized the event and were involved in it.

Addressing boys and girls in the Palace of the Republic, the President noted that they earned the right to be here by their hard work and excellent academic performance. The President noted that New Year gives children one more reason to be happy, because it brings winter holidays. He advised children not to waste this time and spend it on music, books and sport to become strong and healthy. “This will be the greatest joy for us, adults,” the head of state said.

On the eve of the solemn reception in the Palace of the Republic, the children who came from other regions were taken on an excursion to the most interesting places of the capital of Belarus. “You will live in the 21st century and visit these beautiful places. I really hope that they will make you love our country even more and become true patriots of our Fatherland,” the head of state said.

The President expressed words of appreciation to teachers and educators. He admitted that at present they are a bit underestimated. “We will fix it in the coming year,” the head of state assured.

Alexander Lukashenko wished parents to use these weekends to spend quality time with their children and turn New Year into a really family holiday. “Let these days bring only good spirits and emotions,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Part of the charity event “Our Children”, the New Year reception at the Palace of the Republic has gathered 2,370 kids aged 8-14 from various parts of Belarus. They are orphans and children without parental care, foster children, children with disabilities, children from low-income families and families with many children, and winners of international, national and regional academic excellence competitions, creative contests, festivals and sports competitions. Taking part in the event were also students of the Belarusian-language schools in Vilnius and Riga. The charity event “Our Children” is held from 10 December 2012 to 11 January 2013. Among the participants are government agencies, concerns, banks, public associations and other juridical persons.