New Year Address from President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko

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Dear compatriots,

Human life is often compared to a road. It is the road with special rules. A person can travel this road only once and cannot turn back.

Ancient wise men taught to treasure every happy and joyful moment of life. Do not allow petty chagrins and anguish to distract you. Do not get carried away by envy, grievance, and ill-wishing. Then you will live your life to the full and find sheer happiness.

We sometimes complain about instantaneous difficulties and overlook the most important things, do not value the gifts of life.

Genuine values are often neglected in everyday routine. People often begin to realize the importance of these values only after they irretrievably lose them.

The main treasure, for which we must thank our life, is peace. Peace in our families, in our country, in relations between people.

The outgoing year taught us a sudden and tragic lesson about the value of peace. It showed us that any worldly problems recede into the background, seem minute and unimportant amid exploding shells, bullets’ whistle, and bloodshed.

Nothing is more important than life. And there is no more important right than the right to life.

We must understand and remember what genuine peace relies on, and what can put it in danger.

The foundation of genuine peace is kindness, tolerance, and accord between people. It is the readiness to forgive mistakes of others, the ability to sacrifice personal interests.

We have seen with our own eyes the consequences of internal conflicts, hatred, and intolerance. Flamboyant slogans sowing discord and the split of the society are one step apart. There is one step between the split of the society and war. And if people forget about the value of peace and accord, they make all the three steps in a heartbeat.

Seven decades ago we paid the price of millions of human lives for peace. Belarusians know the worth of peace and revere it.

I am convinced that every one of us wants to restore peace in the land of our brothers as soon as possible. It is a sincere and wholehearted wish of our people. We, Belarusians, wish peace to all our friends and neighbors. We are doing and will do our best to preserve and protect it.

Peace is the pillar of life and wellbeing. Therefore, in the coming year of 2015 I, first of all, wish peace in souls, peace in families, peace in the country to all of us!

Dear friends,

The departing year gave many reasons for joy.

Our population increased by almost 7,000. The state has passed a comprehensive program to support families with two, three, and more children. This will remain our number one priority in the future.

This year will make history as the time of remembrance and patriotism. The nationwide celebration of the 70th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazi invasion reminded us once again that there can be no future without past, without connection between generations. Our common noble duty is to take care of veterans, of all elderly people, to use their example for bringing up our children.

It is not accidental that the outgoing year was announced the Year of Hospitality.

The Republic of Belarus opened its doors for all countries during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Dozens of thousands of guests from all corners of the planet got acquainted with Belarus and Belarusians. They saw that Belarus is a comfortable and beautiful country of kind-hearted, hospitable, and good people. I am convinced that all our guests enjoyed moments of joy and kindness in the Belarusian land.

We were rejoiced by the achievements of our athletes at the Winter Olympic Games. The entire country wholeheartedly rooted for our athletes. And they did not disappoint us.

Dear friends,

In a few moments we will celebrate the beginning of the year 2015. It is the Year of Great Victory and the Year of Youth, which symbolizes the intertwinement of our past and our future. It is the year when we will make our choice and determine our goals, hopes, and aspirations.

Perhaps, every nation has its own cherished image of the native land.

For me it is a small but safe, warm, and comfortable home where elderly people are respected, adults work hard, young people mature, and happy children grow up.

Belarus is our common home. And we must do our best to ensure prosperity and happiness in it.

In these exciting moments I would like all Belarusians to realize how closely we are tied to each other in this small God-given place on Earth.

On New Year’s Eve I would like to extend my best greetings to our parents and all veterans, to thank them for everything they have done for the country.

I express my warmest greetings to our wonderful women who share the burden of work and concerns with men and remain tender and beautiful.

I wish Happy New Year to our children who have unconditional trust in us, the children whom we must show the right path in life.

I also congratulate all of us who make a contribution to the strengthening and prosperity of Belarus thanks to skillful hands, professionalism, talent and scientific ideas, perseverance and courage.

The New Year’s night is the time when we understand how close we are, how much we need each other, we realize that we cannot live without love and support of our kith and kin.

Let’s thank each other for help, care, and attention.

May genuine happiness and warmth reign in every family.

May accord, wellbeing, and peace stay in our country forever.

I wish you happiness and health, dear compatriots.

Happy New Year, Belarus!