110 people visited Palace of Independence in Minsk
Belarus’ landmark building continues to open its doors to everyone: the Palace of Independence has been today visited by master’s degree students of the Management Academy, young activists from the city of Chausy, and also participants of the Think. Develop. Act youth forum of communication industry organisations which is being held in Minsk from April 6th-8th
Nikita Plema is a master's degree student of the Management Academy. He is 22, and the young man specialises in public administration and law. Nikita is preparing to start his service at the Prosecutor's Office: this has been his dream since childhood. Since recent times, the young man wished to visit the Palace of Independence. “What I saw was coincident with my expectations, since the Palace of Independence emphasises our sovereignty. It produces understanding that we are a sovereign state. Like a flag or a coat of arms, it demonstrates our state and well-being, that we are united and independent,” he said.
Another student, Maria, was attracted by the lemon trees at the Palace. “I am subscribed to the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel and I know that they are already ripe. I have made a photo with them,” she smiled. According to Maria, the Independence Palace has historical significance for the whole country. After all, it has been built for centuries.
The Chairperson of the Belarusian Trade Union of Communication Workers, Nina Gavrilova, also visited the Palace of Independence for the first time. “It is amazingly beautiful here. I admire it since I know for sure that everything here has been made by Belarusians – people who live in our country. Many thanks to everyone who contributed their effort, mind and attitude to this perfection, to this amazing architecture and decoration,” the woman noted.
Ms. Gavrilova was attracted by the chandeliers in the ceremonial hall. “We know these are Belarus-made,” she commented. “We also know where they are produced: in Lida. Similar ones decorate our Academy of Communications. The latter has recently been overhauled, and students admire the result.”
As the woman admitted, she would very much like to visit the President's office – ‘to feel the aura of the office of our country’s strong and courageous leader, to understand what decisions can be made in a certain situation in order to feel responsibility for the country, for the people, and for each of us’. “I would like to feel it,” Ms. Gavrilova stressed.
The guests coming from Chausy were also impressed by the Palace of Independence. 11th graders from school No. 1, Yevgeny Kolpakov and Anastasia Safonova, could hardly find words to share their emotions. “On entering this building, you immediately experience a storm of emotions because of its beauty and majesty,” Anastasia said, and Yevgeny added, “When I got inside, it was a bit exciting. But now I understand that this is my state, and I am very proud that I was born here since Belarus is an independent, courageous and beautiful country.”
Maksim Nichiporuk, a leading telecommunications engineer from Grodno’s Beltelecom branch, was particularly impressed by the fact that the grandiose building was constructed by Belarusians. “When visiting the Independence Palace, an exhibition of paintings immediately caught my eye, and I was also amazed by the monumentality of the entire complex,” he stressed.
The tour participants got acquainted with the main halls of the Palace, visited its interior garden and museum, while also making many beautiful photos.
