Independence Day, the key holiday of Belarusian statehood, is celebrated in Belarus on 3 July.
The holiday is celebrated on the day when Minsk was liberated from the Nazi invaders — 3 July 1944. The decision to celebrate Independence Day on July 3, the day of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazis, was made during a national referendum held in 1996 proposed by President Alexander Lukashenko. The first Independence Day was celebrated in Belarus in 1997.
The main event of the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus in Novogrudok was a celebratory meeting on Lenin square, which began with a theatrical prologue dedicated to the year of the small Motherland. Musical and choreographic composition was performed by the members of the folk song and dance ensemble Svityaz.
The Chairman of the Novogrudok District Executive Committee Mr.Anatoly Markevich, the Chairman of the District Council of Deputies Mr.Sergei Misharin, veterans of the Great Patriotic war, the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee, the members of the Executive Committee, the chairmen of village Executive committees, labor collectives of Novogrudok district, representatives of public associations, clergy and citizens took part in the celebration.
Honored right to raise the National flag of the Republic of Belarus, the Flag of the town of Novogrudok and Novogrudok district, was conferred to the veteran of the Great Patriotic war Mr. Aly Shaagidevich, a student of form 10 of Negnevichy secondary school, the repeated prize-winner of regional competitions on track and field athletics Sergey Koshur, the Headmistress of the Novogrudok children's school of arts Lyudmyla Aniskina and the Chairman of the primary trade Union organization of PLC "ProvitBel” Mr.Sergei Migal.
Mr. Anatoly Markevich said in his welcoming address:
Today is a special day in the life of our country and each of us. We are celebrating the main state holiday — the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus. It is deeply symbolic that on July 3 we pay tribute to the generations of the Belarusian people, who have won Peace for the country. The victory of 1945 is the basis of freedom and independence of the Republic of Belarus. On this festive day, words of special gratitude to you, dear veterans! We are proud of you and strive to be worthy of a glorious generation of winners. I bow down to you, dear veterans, for our today's peaceful day, for the clear sky and peace in the hearts of people!
The head of the district noted the success of Novogrudok citizens in all fields and thanked the countrymen and labor groups for contribution to the development of the district.
During the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus in Novogrudok the winners of the district competition "Best leader of the year” were awarded.
Archpriest Anatoly Gerasimuk, the Dean of churches of Novogrudok district of the Belarusian Orthodox Church was listed in the book of Glory of Novogrudok district.
For his personal contribution to energy development of Novogrudok district, a candidate of technical Sciences Vladimir Kuzmich was awarded with Certificate of honour of Novogrudok District Executive Committee
The most striking moment of the celebration was a festive parade of the Novogrudok garrison troops, servicemen of the district Department of emergency situations, labor collectives, representatives of public associations and a parade of equipment.
The memory of those who died during the Great Patriotic war, those who died in the post-war period, and veterans who did not live to see this day was honored with a minute of silence and laying a garland of Glory, wreaths and flowers to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the monument to soldiers-internationalists.
Anastasia Petrova, Elena Gantsevich
By Helen Gantsevich
Translated by Helen Chal
