Lukashenko addressed youth at New Year's Eve Ball: you are symbol of Belarus’ future
In line with the already established good tradition, the Independence Palace opens its doors to guests of the youth ball held on the eve of the New Year holidays. The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, is also taking part in the solemn event, traditionally addressing young people with warm words and heartful wishes.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that this evening is the only one in a year when the Palace of Independence radically changes its concept, “Just a few hours ago, important issues of politics, economics and security were being resolved in the offices and halls of this building, but it is now filled with an atmosphere of music and dance. This is an atmosphere of the youth. It is important – and I am ready to repeat it once again – that all this is happening just once a year, and only for you. On seeing amazingly beautiful, happy young people, somewhat shy and constrained (I think you would relax), I think gratefully of your parents and teachers.”
It was also thanks to the latter that young men and ladies have come to the Palace of Independence: as noted by the President, parents and teachers raised and educated them. “They have taught you how to set the right goals and achieve them. Please, remember: you should never flaunt in front of your parents and caregivers, demonstrating yourself. By doing this, you once again emphasise that they are like that. They are great, and everything you – the youth – have now has actually come from them. From tomorrow on, you will start making your own history, with your own hands – being guided by what your parents have given you. Do not forget about that. You should feel respect towards those who have made you like this today,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
The Head of State added that no random people came to the ball, “You are the best! You are the best representatives of our youth. You have worked hard this year, achieving good results in studies and sports, showing your mettle in the volunteer movement – and this is very important. It is for people like you – active and purposeful – that the doors to the Palace of Independence, which is a symbol of our statehood, are open today. Tomorrow you will probably step into big politics and start bearing responsibility for everything that is happening in our country. While the Palace of Independence is a symbol of modern statehood, you are a symbol of the future. This means the future is in your hands! Those who are not yet ready for this, those who have not realised should get ready! Whether you like it or not, the future is in your hands.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that it was impossible not to say this, since young people came to the President to celebrate the holiday, “Let today's ball be a New Year's gift for you. I want you to spend this evening with dignity, beautifully, looking to the future – so that you can find new friends and just have a good rest with the old ones. May all your dreams come true!”
The Head of State congratulated all those present on the New Year holidays, “It [the year] has been calm for some, or stormy, or ordinary. If you want it to be unusual, then there are still a few days left before the New Year night. Finish the year with dignity so that it remains in your memory, so that it is not just another ordinary year for you. May this year, if it is still possible, give you the impossible.”
More than 330 young men and ladies from different regions of Belarus have come to take part in the ball. Among them are talented schoolchildren, students of universities, colleges, cadet schools and the Minsk Suvorov Military School.
The ball consists of two parts: classical and arbitrary. The participants will dance polonaise, waltz, polka, quadrille, mazurka, gallop, and chacon to the musical accompaniment of the Presidential Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus. The arbitrary part of the ball is accompanied by the world hits of pop and jazz music, and it is of a lighter and more relaxed character. The guests will be offered to get acquainted with such dances as rock-and-roll, mambo, boogie-woogie, letkajenkka, lambada, and twist.
