"I am very happy to welcome you - beautiful, elegant and, most importantly, smiling - to the country's main New Year Eve's party in the main hall of the Palace of the Republic. We have been holding this event for more than a quarter of a century. The youngest spectators of the first New Year Eve's performances, perhaps, have already become parents themselves. Some of them might be in attendance with their kids today," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president stressed that the charity campaign Our Children, which has become a wonderful tradition, has already connected two generations of Belarusians “who have grown up on the good and beautiful stories told on this stage by our favorite artists”, the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko admitted that for him, as president, this event is special. "This is an opportunity for a moment to distract from political affairs, sometimes not very pleasant ones, and, together with you, to plunge into the world of childhood, a world of fairy tales, dreams and, most importantly, miracles," he said. "I am happy that over the years of the charity project Our Children, every little Belarusian has learned that his country infinitely cares about them and needs them.”
The head of state thanked everyone who makes childhood a happy and carefree time: teachers and educators who help to learn important knowledge; doctors who take care of the health of children every day; builders who build schools, kindergartens, sports facilities, playgrounds and parks; everyone who produces beautiful children's clothes, toys, favorite sweets and healthy products, cooks breakfasts and lunches in schools and kindergartens.
“First of all, I would like to thank our police and military who preserve peace in our country and give us the opportunity to feel happy day after day and to gather in this beautiful hall on New Year's Eve. I thank the organizers of the New Year's festivities for children, who try to make all your New Year's expectations and dreams come true. In these New Year's Eve days there is not a single child in the country who has not been surrounded by our warm care and attention,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“Our dear children, always know and remember: everything we do for you on New Year's Eve and afterwards is done with love and faith in you,” said the president.
The head of state wished the children a great mood, strong health and joy.
The Our Children charity project will be running in Belarus from 14 December 2021 till 14 January 2022. Every year, heads of ministries and other government agencies, local authorities, representatives of public associations visit children's care homes and family-type homes, foster families, families raising disabled children, correctional and rehabilitation facilities, hospitals.
The main event of the campaign is the country's New Year's Tree, a charity festival featuring a New Year's performance. The president attends the event. This year's festival program includes a fairytale musical and the show Magic Power featuring the best creative teams of the country, a cultural program and gifts from the head of state.
More than 2,300 children aged 8-14 years old have been invited to the Palace of the Republic. These are orphans and children deprived of parental care, children from boarding schools, children with disabilities, children from large and low-income families, students of cadet schools, children from military families, children who suffered from the Chernobyl disaster, students who have achieved good results in education, sport, art and social activities.
Written by belta.by
