The big festive and solemn event is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May. More than five thousand people gathered in the capital’s State Flag Square to join the solemn ritual of honoring the state symbols of Belarus. The festive event was attended by Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin, heads of ministries and departments, representatives of enterprises, parties and young people.

«One of the most important holidays»

The State Flag, State Emblem and National Anthem of the Republic of Belarus are the symbols of our country as a sovereign state. Every modern state has its own symbols expressing its political independence and autonomy. State symbols emphasize the national spirit and dignity of Belarusian citizens.

Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin started the solemn event. He congratulated his compatriots on the Day of the State Flag, State Emblem and National Anthem: «I want to congratulate everyone on one of the most important holidays of our country. I wish all of us peace, well-being and prosperity of our beloved Belarus.» The Prime Minister also announced a congratulatory address of President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko.

State symbols are an attribute of independence of Belarus. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Karanik: «State symbols are what unites us. It’s a sign of statehood, an attribute of independence. First of all, we must instill pride for our country, for its symbols in the younger generation, so that every time they try to do their best to glorify their country. It is also important that we see our state symbols flying over international sports arenas, that they are associated with scientific and cultural achievements, that we actually glorify our country at all levels. It is necessary that the state symbols evoke honor in every Belarusian.» 

At such events, many young people note that they are interested.

«It also shows that we have started to pay more attention to the patriotic education of young people, and also that our young people are very smart, very talented,» emphasized Vladimir Karanik. «They have made the right conclusions and with their participation they vote for peace, stability and development.» 

«What makes us Belarusians»

State symbols are what makes us Belarusians, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Olga Chupris shared her opinion: «30 years ago we made the most important decision in our life at the referendum. The decision on what state symbols will accompany our history and our state. These are the symbols that we honor today. They say that we are one people, that we have our own history, traditions, culture, that we are distinctive and ready to live in peace and harmony.» 

The colors of the state flag, the symbols enshrined in the coat of arms, the anthem are all the things that make us Belarusians, said the deputy head of the Presidential Administration: «These are all the things that make us aspire to the future. It is what we can pass on to our children and can be proud of our achievements. Frankly speaking, all the normative acts that we have recently adopted concerning ideology and the future reflect our sincere sense of love for our Motherland, our sense of patriotism, our commitment to our history and our identity. That’s what we look up to.» 

Rallying around state symbols proves that Belarusians are a monolithic nation, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Vladimir Pertsov told reporters. «Honoring state symbols not only at the state level, but also in families, speaks about the rise of patriotism. It speaks of the unity of the nation in such a difficult period. Let us not repeat on this festive day about threats. We all realize that they exist. And only unity around the national symbols, around our national leader shows the enemies that we are a united, monolithic nation. We are one, strong, united nation.» 

According to the Chairperson of the Constitutional Court Piotr Miklashevich, thanks to the state symbols the people of Belarus become more united. «State symbols give an opportunity to identify our state at the international level and unite our people. Thanks to them we always feel our great Motherland — Republic of Belarus behind us. We are proud that this holiday has been established at the state level.» He emphasized that Belarusians should appreciate and cherish the state symbols.

Belarusians cherish the connection between generations, continue the traditions of our ancestors, and are proud of their history. For 30 years the state symbols have been the symbols of labor, sports, creative victories in the history of sovereign Belarus. The State Flag, State Emblem and National Anthem of the Republic of Belarus are the symbols of the unity of the people, which we are obliged to keep in order to preserve our country.

Artem Tsuran, Chairperson of the Minsk City Council of Deputies, spoke about the importance of state symbols and the power of unity: «It is symbolic that we start this action from the place where just two days ago the salute was thundering. Where we witnessed a grandiose parade in honor of the 80th Anniversary of Victory.» 

The Head of the Deputy Corps of the capital noted that such events are not just a holiday tradition. It is part of a big and deep meaning. «These are all by and large components of the strength of the unity of our people and our country. The fact that we celebrate the holiday on such a scale is another proof that our society is united,» said Artem Tsuran. 

On the Day of the State Flag, State Emblem and National Anthem, representatives of young people from all regions of the country and the city of Minsk took the oath of allegiance to the state symbols on behalf of the young generation of Belarus. The young people swore to be worthy citizens of the country, to preserve peace and tranquility on the Belarusian land, to defend it as worthily as our great-grandfathers did during the Great Patriotic War.

«Impression for Life»

As part of the celebration of state symbols, an impressive canvas of the State Flag of the Republic of Belarus, 500 meters long, 9 meters wide and weighing more than 400 kilograms, was unfolded on the capital’s streets. It was carried along Pobediteley Avenue by representatives of the republican public organizations. All of them came with one goal: to express their support for the state symbols, which represent our identity.

By the way, the procession with the largest state flag of Belarus was attended not only by our fellow citizens, but also by foreign guests. Among them was the Pavlov family from Russia. The young people shared their impressions with us.

«We got to the procession with the flag by chance. It’s the second time we participate in the celebration of the Day of State Symbols of Belarus. The first time was in 2022. We didn’t know that it was celebrated on the second Sunday of May, we thought there was a certain date. Today we carried the state flag of Belarus together with other people. This is an impression for life,» said Vera Pavlova.

She participated in the event together with her husband and daughter. The woman added that their family comes to Belarus two or three times a year, while her husband Nikolai has in fact all relatives from our country.

Daniil Khmelnitsky 
Photo by BelTA and Viktor Ivanchikov