Socio-political Weekly Published since February 2003 nO. 3 (721) Thursday, January 18, 2018 WWW.sb.BY New Year Ball brings together guests at the Grand Ball Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus on the eve of the ‘old calendar’ New Year — on the night of January 13th. at Bolshoi This was the ninth time the celebration has been staged at the National Academic Bolshoi Theatre Opera and Ballet Theatre. Supreme honour to be the best talk shows. Social networks de- President prive people of live communica- tion, while computer games re- of Belarus place real life with virtual reality. “It is but a fraction of the presents awards challenges our society faces to- to country’s day. Such realities slowly but persistently erode the existing honoured system of traditional moral val- ues. It is particularly important people not to miss our timing, not to and labour lose our spiritual essence. There is no doubt that culture, art and collectives religion should come to the fore- By Vasily Kharitonov front. Their influence on people’s minds is considerable. It is they Alexander Lukashenko has that shape the images and ideals recently honoured the laureates which many people see as virtues. of our ‘For Spiritual Revival’ Therefore, people of culture and Awards, also presenting spe- art, mass media professionals, cial awards to figures of culture heritage,” Mr. Lukashenko said, social upheaval.” tions are emerging. It is getting clergy, pedagogues and everyone and art and the Belarusian Sport addressing those present. “This The President noted that the much more difficult to protect our who cares for the world, should Olympus winners. The ceremony legacy relies on the righteous life world is still troubled today. An souls. In the pursuit of material pool their efforts for the sake of — held at the Palace of the Re- of Belarusian saints and in the invisible struggle for the human goods and glitz, people are losing reinforcing the moral standards of FOCUS public — annually honours peo- great works of poets, artists, mu- soul is in progress. Christian their true beauty: the inner light our nation,” stated the President. ple who serve these goals. It is a sicians and architects who were pillars of morality often come of good feelings and noble deeds Mr. Lukashenko underlined strong tradition in Belarus and is born in our country. It is rooted in under attack and traditional fam- which our people — all Slavs — that spiritual immunity is needed unique in the world. As the Head the spiritual heroism of those who ily foundations are being eroded. have long been renowned,” Mr. against amorality and bad taste. of State noted, it’s not surprising have preserved faith, love for the “The world view and the way of Lukashenko added. According to Culture and art should always be that the tradition was born in our homeland, respect for our history life of people are changing under him, for the sake of ratings, tel- a source of energy and fortitude country. and culture — despite the incred- the influence of information flow. evision teaches viewers to enjoy for people. “We remember and “We enjoy a great spiritual ible ordeals of the war years and An increasing number of tempta- negative news and scandalous honour the rich legacy of the past Laureates share their views Marianna Shchetkina, Chair Roman Motulsky, Director of Abu-Bekir Shabanovich, of the Belarusian Union of Wom- the National Library of Belarus: Mufti of the Islamic Religious en, Deputy Chair of the Council Our contribution to the Year of Association in the Republic of of the Republic: Science is the projects devoted to Belarus: This is the recognition of our the 500th anniversary of Belarusian This award is a great incentive. association’s work. This enhances book printing. Our key project is It’s a guide for how we should build the credibility of the organisation the restoration of Francysk Skary- up our work to revive the spiritual and the very big responsibility which inspires us to im- na’s facsimile heritage; we’ve been working on this for and national culture which brings harmony to the life of prove our work and meet the requirements of modern five years. We are proud that the publication has become society and strengthens our state. Our association strives times. At the same time, it’s very important to maintain one of the brands of our country. As many foreign book to develop interest in the history and culture of the nation, our continuity and traditions. For 25 years, our goal re- publishers, librarians and scientists admit, a project of this thanks to state support. In 1997, top-level events were or- mains unchanged: the strengthening of moral and spiritual kind is truly unique. Not only one or two books have been ganised; they were dedicated to the 600th anniversary of values. Our efforts are aimed at supporting families and released (common for an edition) but a complete collec- the settlement of Tatars in Belarus. In 2017, we celebrated strengthening family relations, protecting the rights and tion of Skaryna’s works: twenty volumes and a separate the 620th anniversary of that event on a large scale. The legitimate interests of mothers and children, increasing the volume of scientific comments. Researches conducted leitmotif of the holiday was that all those years have passed role of women in the socio-political, socio-economic and while preparing the project have become the basis for vir- in peace and harmony. Moreover, the spiritual culture is cultural life of the country. tually all other publications dedicated to Skaryna. reviving thanks to large-scale enlightenment activity. Multi-vector policy surely proves its value counter and mitigate their impact. members of the Collective Secu- eign political relations, Belarus Belarus has its own niche in As ever, Belarusian diplomacy rity Treaty Organisation and the has continued to build other geo- today’s foreign political and pursued a well-balanced and Commonwealth of Independent political pillars in ‘distant arc’ multi-faceted foreign policy, in States. Belarus also continued regions: Asia, the Middle East, foreign economic context, reads accordance with the President’s to foster construc- tive Africa, and Latin America. instructions. It embraced com- pragmatic relations The Foreign Ministry the Annual Review of Foreign prehensive notes that, in 2017, Belarus Policy of the Republic of Belarus completed its first presidency of the Central-European and Activities of the Ministry Initiative (CEI) with its head of Foreign Affairs in 2017, held high. A key message of its presidency published on the website of was promotion of compatibility the Ministry in Europe via the By Alexander Pimenov instability, a combina- development of infrastruc- tion of centrifugal tural ties between states, The Ministry notes that major and centripetal in the spheres of transport foreign policy initiatives brought trends, economic and power engineering, and forward by the President of Be- imbalances, and digital communications. It larus Alexander Lukashenko — reluctance by world players promoted the creation of Focus on multi-vector nature The Minsk Times promoting connectivity in Europe to forsake their own national mutually reinforcing mech- Thursday, and partnership of integration interests for the common good. protection of national with the European Union, the anisms of collaboration between January 18, processes, updating all-European There has been a lack of trust in interests, while strength- United States of America, and integrations involving CEI mem- 2018 dialogue on strengthening con- the European region, and in the ening regional security and sta- other Western states. ber states, and the strengthening fidence and security-building wider Eurasian space, and glob- bility. The Chinese vector of Be- of contacts with neighbouring measures and co-operation — are ally. Constructive dialogue and Amid mistrust between Rus- larus’ foreign policy has moved regions. reflected in the unifying agenda compromise are needed, above sia and the West, Belarus re- forward, seeing Belarus among According to the Foreign which Minsk is offering to other all. mained committed to strategic the first countries to implement Ministry, such approaches were members of the international In such difficult circumstanc- partnership with Russia, inte- the Silk Road Economic Belt ini- received positively by partners, community. es, in 2017, Belarus demonstrated gration within the framework of tiative, across several promising meeting a common desire for The international situation in resistance to unfavourable exter- the Eurasian Economic Union, spheres. sustainable ties between Central, 2 2017 was characterised by high nal factors and was able to work to and traditional interaction with In order to diversify its for- Western and Eastern European F OCUS At the prize-giving ceremony of the ‘Spiritual Revival’ Awards generations. Their eternal light of life of humankind. “However how to use multiple sources, learn ness and mercy. Ancient tradi- Five awards For Spiritual shows us the right way to live hard we may struggle, we are many points of view to draw the tions of Belarusian craftsmen are Revival were presented by the even now. The current genera- stuck in this World Wide Web. right conclusions. It is important revived. Interest in the past ac- President, honouring labour col- tion should make the light even It makes people’s lives easier by for youth. You and I were taught complishments of our ancestors lectives and representatives of brighter so that our children and delivering up-to-date informa- that practice is the judge of truth is awakened. Family values are religious associations for their grandchildren could pick up the tion fast. You can see how life and young Belarusians could use defended. Charity is encouraged. active work in the humanitarian baton and pass it on,” he noted. is changing, including for the more practice, more experience,” Patriotism is inspired.