Nikolai Lukashenko on his father's advice, family traditions, Marathon of Unity and social networks: I am his carbon copy
The piano performance of President’s son Nikolai Lukashenko and his teacher Yelena Ostashkina-Myslivchik at the Time Chose Us closing concert of the Marathon of Unity nationwide socio-cultural campaign became a true highlight. BelTA reporters had a chance to talk with Nikolai Lukashenko before the concert in Vitebsk, and the President's son shed light on how the idea to perform had come about, what he thinks of such a comprehensive concept as unity, and whether he has social network accounts.
I have a deep sense of gratitude towards the concert in particular and the Marathon of Unity in general
Nikolai, you participate in almost every Marathon of Unity. Is this an obligation for you, or are you somehow personally interested in it – guided by a creative and emotional attitude? After all, the emotions of the audience present at your performance in Minsk-Arena on September 17th were truly unimaginable…
Given our experience of performing, I suggested that we could put on a good show at a concert in Minsk-Arena on September 17th, to demonstrate how we see national unity. Later, that performance became quite a major landmark in the Time Chose Us concert – not because it was authored by us or due to my performance: it became such precisely because of the message and scale. With that in view, we decided to make it traditional for the Marathon of Unity, so that more people would see it.
How do you manage to combine your studies and the Marathon of Unity schedule? Is there any secret how to keep up with everything?
A person gets mobilised and makes every effort, if they feel the responsibility. That's how it works in my case. I have a strong sense of responsibility.
Well, I can say this is not the first time I have such a hectic schedule. I am engaged into many activities. You see a lot on TV, but there is even more that is not visible. Therefore, I have a deep sense of gratitude towards the concert in particular and the Marathon of Unity in general. I enjoy the opportunity to implement some of my creative ideas here, to work together with artistic teams. After all, many people work here, and they spend their strength and energy – probably even more than I do. I understand that there are a huge number of 20-year-old guys who can do this not worse than me and perform this composition maybe in a more masterly fashion. I mean professional artistes. Meanwhile, I am the one who is doing this, and I regard it as a great opportunity. I treat it with great gratitude. Therefore, this is happiness for me.
Why did you choose the piano as a musical instrument?
It is one of the most classic [instruments]. It is self-sufficient, I believe. Generally speaking, I had an equal chance to practice, for example, vocals, but I concentrated on piano playing – doing that for almost eleven years by now.
People’s life and future start ruining when adults think such values as peace and goodness have been outgrown
What is your favourite show in the Time Chose Us programme, if any?
I like all sort of them. I really appreciate when children perform: they actually embody everything that we present in our Marathon. In the simple child’s language, they convey fundamental and very complex truths that we – adults – have forgotten and outgrown, or believe that we have outgrown. Adults may wonder what kind of goodness and peace are talked about, but I believe the destruction of the nation, its people and future starts right at this point – when adults think that they have outgrown goodness and peace. Therefore, it is necessary to listen to children and do everything to maintain the attraction of goodness.
What is unity for you?
It is difficult to find a specific answer to this question. Unity is a bond of generations, it's how we look at children. Unity is how we share ourselves not only with the ones we love, but also with the piece of land we live on. Unity is rooted in aspiration and dedication, and the lines of our anthem – ‘we are tied to our native land with our hearts’ – is probably also about unity. It is to work for the benefit of society, to be part of the great cause, to live not for yourself and not for your own pleasure, but for other people to live better every new day. Unity is creation of a legacy that we could pass on to future generations.
Naturally, I try to form as objective opinion as possible on all events
The Head of State jokingly calls you ‘the main protester in the family’. I know you get information from a variety of sources, social networks.
True. I read different sources of information and, naturally, try to form as objective opinion as possible about all the events. I have such an opportunity to openly voice what I see. I will never be silent if I am confident of something. I never tolerate false admiration and false moods. Of course, I often express my opinion, and that's why I can be called ‘a protester’.
At the same time, I cannot oppose the state. I cannot be an oppositionist with regard to the Head of State, since I am his carbon copy. Some people say I am different, but they actually either do not know me, or my father.
When my father was young, he also reacted very expressively to any form of injustice, some controversial issues that exist in any society, in any state. The only question is how to react to this: keep silent and do nothing, or fight for people and justice.
The Head of State is a good manager, he is tough – he is the President. I believe he is an absolutely great man. We see the fruits of his work every day, while I see firsthand how they are being achieved.
Many people think that, after a meeting with the President’s participation broadcast on TV, the Head of State stops working. However, we probably fail to see even half of his work…
A great share of his work is behind the scenes, and people often take the results of this work for granted.
Do you have social network accounts?
No, I don’t. You would know if I had any. However, I surf various social networks, of course. They are part of our life. It is impossible, for example, not to read Telegram channels’ content.
I treat my father's advice with absolute respect and great attention
Not so long ago, during a meeting with students of the Linguistic University, Aleksandr Lukashenko was asked how he would treat your girlfriend. The media did not broadcast the answer to that question, but all want to know. Can you reveal the secret and tell us whether you already have someone dear to your heart?
On global scales, the Head of State is known as a person occupying this position. Speaking of him as the father, I can say that he is very delicate, very caring, very empathetic. Of course, he pays me a lot of attention, and this has been the case since my birth. I think this is his personal feat, since – being such a person, in such difficult years of his work – he devoted an incredible amount of time to me, my upbringing, so that I could be with him, could learn from him. It took him a lot of time and effort.
I have no doubt that he will treat the issues of my personal life with great attention as well. Of course, I fully trust him and respect his point of view. Many teenagers try to reject their parents' opinion. Maybe I had such an approach in the past, but it is definitely not the case at present. I treat my father's advice with absolute respect and great attention – not just because this is a must or because this is viewed to be normal: I have got convinced in that through the example of many events, including the most global and the smallest, personal ones.
Actually, I will not disclose all the details of my personal life, because everyone has the right to keep it private. Moreover, this is probably not something that needs to be emphasised now.
Small but extremely important New Year tradition before moving forward is to make a pause, take a breather and look at the achieved results
New Year celebrations – a time of family holidays and traditions – are approaching. What is important to you at this time? What do you usually do on holidays? Is there something you cannot imagine the New Year without?
As you know, we have a very big family. We strive to get together somehow and spend time with each other, to chat in a relaxed manner while having our New Year dinner. This is our simple tradition.
The long-present traditions (we have many of them in our family) need stability. However, it is hard to develop any traditions and follow them when it is not known where you will end up in an hour or two (as a journalist, you understand this perfectly well, of course).
All our family members are involved in what the head of our family, the Head of State, is doing. We are all following his lead. Some of us are doing this to a greater extent, and some to a lesser, but we share his lifestyle. I dare say that I am the one who is doing this to a greater extent.
It is quite possible to find yourself anywhere in the country and deal with very different issues on New Year. It may even happen that the New Year mood is somewhere in the background. New Year is a very hectic time, and I am sure you experience the same.
At the same time, to make a pause, take a breather and look at the achieved results before leaving everything in the past is a minimal, but very important New Year tradition – and we follow it.
How would you like to celebrate 2025?
I want to be together with my loved ones, to see as many family members as possible. Actually, it is also quite difficult to get everyone together at once.
Clearly, you do not have much free time, but how do you prefer to relax when you have an opportunity?
Everyone is asked this basic question about a hobby. All my hobbies have actually transformed into a near-professional activity, or an amateur activity with a professional approach. Well, I can say hockey is my hobby.
For example, I perform here, at the Marathon of Unity, but not a single person here views performing as a hobby. Therefore, I have to prepare professionally. There are many activities that could be a hobby, but I have to deal with them – and I am doing this with pleasure – professionally.
What makes you rested and recharged?
I really like reading. I like the process itself, like to turn pages. Since I major in biotechnology, I have to read technical, scientific literature. I read a lot: these are scientific articles, monographs, collections, all sorts of scientific regulations.
I like popular science literature because it inspires me to dig into some problems. However, I don’t like it because it has little attitude to real life and does not solve any problems.
As for fiction, I read this literature at least in order to perfect my speaking and writing skills. Moreover, great works of art can be re-read several times over the lifetime.
