On 5 January, President Alexander Lukashenko signed a Decree on awarding ten special prizes of the President of the Republic of Belarus to a number of distinguished Belarusians in the spheres of culture, arts and education from across the country in recognition of their substantial contribution made during the Year of the Native Land to the preservation and promotion of Belarusian cultural traditions and contribution to the depository of knowledge of the Belarusian people.

The adoption of this Decree is further evidence of the support provided by the state to national culture and arts.