Heroes of Belarus. Aleksandr Dubko. Bright legacy

The Minsk Times project is dedicated to people awarded the highest Hero of Belarus title

On September 20th, 2024, Grodno Region celebrated its 80th anniversary. In honour of the region’s jubilee, we remember one of its leaders. Aleksandr Dubko — Hero of Belarus, Hero of Socialist Labour, bearer of two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, and the Badge of Honour, an outstanding agrarian, patriot, far-sighted politician, and statesman — devoted his life to the benefit of Grodno.

Many well-known leaders of various ranks regard Aleksandr Dubko as their mentor. The secrets of his economic talent are still sought after by students and colleagues today. Aleksandr Dubko rightly belongs to the elite of Belarus’ chairmen. As a head of the Progress collective farm in Grodno District, he took it to the highest level. Later, he effectively managed the region. Dubko’s expertise, charisma, wisdom, and foresight allowed the region to become a leader in many indicators. Thanks to his initiative, the Ice Palace was built in Grodno, the Festival of National Cultures was born, a prize for gifted schoolchildren and students was established, and much more. He was known, loved, and respected not only in Grodno Region but also throughout the country.

AWARDS

• For the exceptional service to the state and society, the Hero of Belarus title was posthumously conferred upon Aleksandr Dubko in June 2001 by Presidential Decree No. 361 
• Hero of Socialist Labour
• Order of the Fatherland 3rd class
• Two Orders of Lenin
• Order of the Red Banner of Labour
• Badge of Honour Order

Young and promising  

Aleksandr Dubko was born on January 14th, 1938 in the village of Ilovo in Shumilino District of Vitebsk Region. He had a thirst for knowledge, was passionate about history and geography, was keen on languages, and excelled in team sports. He chose his profession without hesitation as he dreamt of working on the land and developing agriculture. His studies at the Grodno Agricultural Institute provided him not only with solid knowledge but also with a vibrant social life, sporting achievements in basketball, and the chance to meet an astonishing girl, Emma, who became the love of his life, a devoted wife, and mother of his sons.  
After university, the agrarian specialist gained experience in various positions at the Stanislavovo farm in Grodno District, the Berestovitsa district agricultural administration, and the specialised complex of dairy and vegetable state farms in Grodno Region. In 1972, he received an offer to become the head of the leading collective farm Progress in Vertelishki, replacing the legendary Hero of Socialist Labour, Fiodor Senko.  

High aim — high result  

At that time, the collective farm Progress was the best agricultural enterprise in Grodno Region by all indicators, and one of the best in the country. However, ambitious and talented Aleksandr Dubko aimed to elevate it to a new level. He looked far ahead and came up with his own development strategy. The farm expanded twice by incorporating the lands of neighbouring collective farms, and over the 23 years that Dubko was at the helm of the agricultural enterprise, it grew fivefold!  
Aleksandr Dubko insisted on programming the harvest and fostering a close connection between agriculture and research institutes and universities of the country, supported variety renewal, and looked far into the future. The most successful developments and proposals of scientists were implemented on the Progress fields and farms.
The far-sighted chairman placed a premium on a multi-sector economy to avoid seasonality in the influx of financial resources. His ideas for processing agricultural raw materials resulted in the construction of modern broiler complexes and enterprise for processing milk, fruits, and animal feed, a sausage workshop, and fur farming. He initiated the establishment of facilities for the production of building materials, a carpentry and furniture enterprise, an asphalt plant, and a greenhouse farm. In addition, orchards were planted in the open fields.

In the tenth year of Aleksandr Dubko’s chairmanship, Progress celebrated the highest grain harvest in Belarus. More than 46 centners were harvested per hectare. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Aleksandr Dubko was awarded the Hero of Socialist Labour title and received the Order of Lenin.

Aleksandr Dubko not only cared about economic indicators but also paid considerable attention to the living conditions of rural workers, their leisure, and comfort. Long before agro-towns appeared in Belarus, he created the village of the future — Vertelishki, which had everything necessary for the residents’ well-being and therefore attracted the best specialists. He took them under his wing and successfully nurtured them. 

Caring for people  

In 1994, Aleksandr Dubko was appointed as Chairman of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee. It is on this position that his economic and managerial talents, as well as his exceptional abilities as a leader and statesman, were particularly evident.  
He accomplished a great deal for the development of the region, leaving behind a galaxy of strong personnel who later achieved prominence in politics, economics, and public administration.   

During his leadership of Grodno, Aleksandr Dubko and his team managed to halt the decline in production across all major sectors of the economy, which had been brought about by the years of restructuring and market economy. The high standards in agriculture and the hard work of rural workers, along with the development of industry and the socio-cultural sphere gradually elevated Grodno Region to the ranks of the leading regions in the country. Dubko’s expertise was often cited as an example by the Head of State, Aleksandr Lukashenko.  

Grodno Region has become a second homeland for Aleksandr Dubko

The governor understood that the future of the country begins in the family, kindergarten, and school. Therefore, he aimed to nurture the younger generation focusing on their moral and spiritual development, as well as health promotion. Significant progress was made in healthcare, including the construction of a psycho-neurological dispensary and the establishment of a three-tier system for providing perinatal care to women and children. Dubko was genuinely committed to the development of sports facilities and supported both sports and culture. He was convinced that man does not live by bread alone.   
In 1996, at the initiative of Aleksandr Dubko, the Festival of National Cultures was born in Grodno. As a visionary leader, he supported talented young people. It was in Grodno Region that an award for talented schoolchildren and students from the regional executive committee — today it bears the name of Aleksandr Dubko — as well as an award for figures in culture and arts were established for the first time in the country.
It was also at his behest that the Ice Palace in Grodno was built, a number of sports halls were opened, including one at the Olympic Reserve school, and a hall for team sports was renovated. According to Dubko’s associates, his cherished dream was the construction of a multi-purpose sports palace in the regional centre and the establishment of a university campus. Unfortunately, many of his plans were not destined to come to fruition — the fate allotted him a rather brief life journey. Aleksandr Dubko passed away suddenly on February 4th, 2001, at the age of 63.

Earned trust

Throughout his career, Aleksandr Dubko combined his main duties with his work as a deputy. People trusted him, and he represented their interests in councils at various levels. He successfully led Belarus’ Agrarian Union, and participated in the presidential elections in 1994. He supported Aleksandr Lukashenko and began building independent Belarus alongside him and the entire country.

Memory

• One of the streets in Grodno is named after Aleksandr Dubko.
• A bust of the Hero has been erected near the administration building of the Progress-Vertelishki Agricultural Production Co-operative. 
• On May 31st, 2022, the Grodno City Gymnasium was named after the Hero of Belarus, Aleksandr Dubko.
• An annual scholarship named after Aleksandr Dubko is awarded to gifted schoolchildren and students, as well as the Dubko Prize from the regional executive committee is granted for creative achievements in culture and arts to cultural and artistic figures.
• Since 2002, an International Ice Hockey Tournament and since 2014, an International Basketball Tournament in memory of Aleksandr Dubko have been held in the regional centre. 

By Svetlana Yevgenyeva