‘Pride and delight’: cadets and military personnel visit Independence Palace
The Day of Fatherland Defenders and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus is a truly nationwide holiday, uniting many generations of Belarusians in selfless service to their Motherland. An excursion to the Palace of Independence became a real gift for the best cadets and officers of the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus and the 120th Guards Rogachev Red Banner, of the Suvorov and Kutuzov Orders, separate mechanised brigade named after the Supreme Soviet of BSSR.
It is not for the first year that people of different professions and ages come here. It is worth mentioning that the number of people wishing to visit the Palace of Independence on an excursion is constantly growing. Despite this, those who wish are ready to wait for several months to attend the halls where the fateful meetings were held, the most important decisions were made and where the modern history of the Republic of Belarus is being written today.
According to a good tradition, Natalya Eismont, Press Secretary of the President, greeted the guests on behalf of the Head of State at the main site of the country. She congratulated the servicemen on the holiday and, during the fascinating excursion, told them about the details of the history of the palace and the most iconic halls, by visiting which you can touch the events of a global scale.
Many photos were taken in the Grand Ceremonial Hall, where colourful New Year’s balls and graduates’ balls for talented youth are held annually.
The guests were genuinely interested in the famous Green Hall, which has become a historical place for Belarusian and world history, hosting many hours of negotiations in the Normandy Format. Cadets and servicemen did not miss the opportunity to take photos at the round table.
The winter garden and the famous museum of gifts also aroused bright emotions and delight among the tourists. The guests paid special attention to the decoration of the Palace: its interiors and other architectural elements were designed and created by Belarusian masters.
Ilya Shaloiko, a 4th year cadet of the Combined Arms Faculty of the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus, says that today is a special day for him, “I visit the Palace of Independence for the first time. It is a great honour for me to be here, especially on the Day of Fatherland Defenders. There is some symbolism in this,” says Ilya Shaloiko. “I watch the news with great interest. That’s why it was extremely interesting to visit the hall where the Minsk agreements were signed.”
The young man does not hide that visiting the Independence Palace imposes a special concept on his world outlook, “When you come into contact with history and stay here, you begin to understand more clearly what our President of the Republic of Belarus, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Aleksandr Lukashenko is doing and what a serious and responsible job he has.”
The Head of the 4th year of the Combined Arms Faculty of the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus, Captain Artemy Verasyukevich, in an interview with reporters, noted the special symbolism of visiting the Independence Palace on the Day of Fatherland Defenders, “This is my first time here. Of course, I cannot but express my delight from what I saw and the fact that everything here was done by the hands of Belarusians.”
According to Captain Artemy Verasyukevich, such excursions for cadets and military personnel should be regular, “Cadets, as well as officers, benefit from such excursions. They must see and understand how the decisions taken by the Head of State affect what is happening in the country. They must be inspired for further service and life in our native Belarus, not succumbing to various provocations.”
The head of the engineering service of the 310th artillery group of the guard, Major Aleksei Belash, arrived at the Palace of Independence with his wife Tatiana, “Like many of my colleagues, we are here for the first time. The atmosphere, halls and offices evoke only one feeling: delight and pride,” says Major Aleksei Belash.
The officer’s wife, Tatiana Belash, complements her husband, “It is symbolic for us to visit the Palace of Independence on the Day of Fatherland Defenders. Visiting such places in our time is very important, learning the history of the palace and the significant decisions that are made here.”
Yulia Stychinskaya, a cadet of the 3rd year of the Combined Arms Faculty of the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus, hastened to share her impressions with journalists, “I entered the Military Academy with my brother. Putting on the uniform, I feel proud that in the future I will become an officer, I am proud of my country. It is an honour and responsibility for me that in the future I will be able to defend the Motherland.”
Most of all, the 3rd year cadet was impressed by the Green Hall, where the negotiations of the Normandy Four were held.
“After the tour, I will definitely show the photos to my parents and friends and share my impressions with them. My impressions are only positive,” Yulia Stychinskaya says without hiding a smile.
