The meeting brought together residents of all generations, from college students to industrial workers, which sparked a diverse range of questions.

According to Vadim Gigin, the initiative’s significance is reflected in its title: Pulse of the Country: Facts, Trends, Meanings. «We need to understand the thoughts, ideas, and concerns of our people. We are currently in a very critical inter-election period. Usually, major public events are tied to political campaigns. While Belarus’ next presidential election will not take place until 2029, this does not mean we should reduce the intensity of our communication with the public. Direct contact and dialogue between officials, public opinion leaders, and our citizens is a key strength of the Belarusian model of people’s democracy,» he said.

Pavel Krivodubsky, a head chef at a local restaurant, raised the first question regarding the employment of migrants and young specialists. He highlighted instances where foreign workers receive a full benefits package but quit just a few weeks after being hired.

In addition, Pavel Krivodubsky raised concerns over a decree allowing companies to hire employees without a mandatory internship period. According to him, employers frequently face situations where young people simply cut off all communication and stop answering calls, creating severe legal hurdles when trying to terminate their employment.

Vadim Gigin explained that this is not the first time such a situation has occurred with foreign citizens. «I know that some of our plant managers have traveled to Central Asian countries to study this issue,» the speaker said. «They are dissatisfied with our labor laws. However, this is not because their interests are unprotected, but rather because they are overprotected. We have discussed this with union leadership as well. What do these workers want? They want to work without days off and in double shifts to earn the maximum amount of money, usually on piece-rate pay, and send those earnings back home. Meanwhile, we have an eight-hour workday, annual leave, and two days off per week. If a worker doesn’t take those days off, labor inspectors will come and ask why. The bottom line is that our labor and social protection standards are exceptionally high.»

Turning to the topic of internships, Vadim Gigin pointed out that the amendment was aimed specifically at the private sector. «In our country, it was often in the private sector that workers’ rights were poorly protected,» he noted. «Formalities were not always followed there, and taking sick leave could sometimes be an issue. There were many such problems, including social security contributions and envelope wages. In fact, this problem is largely being addressed. I won’t say it’s completely solved, but progress is being made. And it will continue to be addressed, because within this five-year period, the private sector is projected to generate over 50% of our GDP. The focus is specifically on small and medium-sized businesses, and we must protect the workers.»

Following the event, Pavel Krivodubsky admitted he was very nervous when asking the first question. «This broad format is fantastic and highly engaging,» he said. «I received a comprehensive answer to my question. I feel that my voice was truly heard.»

Some audience members were interested in cinema trends and the popularity of theaters in Belarus. Vadim Gigin noted that he frequently receives feedback about certain theaters being completely sold out. «Some people complain about the Puppet Theatre, claiming that certain productions have alternative or controversial undertones,» the speaker said. «But this simply proves that a creative process is underway. Look at the debates surrounding the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus — whether a certain performance of The Nutcracker is good or not. I could give you many more examples. It means there is life in these institutions. Most importantly, there is a high public demand for culture and cultural life. People are literally lining up in queues.»

«As the director of the National Library, I see this at our events, especially during Library Night, and not only then. We also see it in the lines for exhibitions featuring a single painting at the National Art Museum of Belarus. Of course, there are still issues in the cultural sector. But the changes that are happening appeal to me. God willing, this will also reach our films. You know, we are all waiting for a good film. For some reason, everyone compares everything to White Dew. Will there be new ones like that? Times have changed. Audiences’ tastes have probably shifted as well. But we would certainly like to see results. I hope they will come,» he said confidently.

Sergei Burdyko, a resident of Borisov, raised the issue of patriotic education for young people. «I own a farmstead that focuses on patriotic activities, mostly related to the Great Patriotic War. We hold lessons in courage and participate in historical reenactments. Young people do not always know the heroes of that time,» he explained.

Vadim Gigin thanked him for this work and noted the importance of involving private businesses in such efforts. «We have finally managed to establish that patriotic education is not just the domain of educational institutions, government bodies, and cultural organizations. I have repeatedly seen individual entrepreneurs wanting to contribute to patriotic education,» he said. «Recently, the National Library of Belarus celebrated its 20th anniversary. We found that entrepreneurs directly approached us with offers to participate or to organize competitions. This is also a result of our joint work.»

Regarding the youth, such concerns will always exist, the political scientist believes. «We must understand that we will never achieve a 100% result. People will always focus on their daily concerns. They will not spend all day thinking about how to honor the memory of the great heroes. We would like that, but it will not happen. So the most important thing is to have a core group of true patriots and people like you who support, popularize, and promote these values. It is very important to have such people,» Vadim Gigin emphasized.

«It was a very constructive dialogue. The topic I raised should concern everyone. Children are our future. A nation that does not remember history is doomed to extinction. I believe this is one of the most important topics. I received a good, constructive response,» added Sergei Burdyko.

A small and medium-sized business representative, Igor, asked where small businesses should turn to implement projects with young people. «I work with the younger generation. I see many different issues. Among us are those who care about the fate of young people. We want to participate and get involved in various processes, to be useful. The question arises: where, to whom, and how to approach with our ideas, and to do so without fear of being unheard,» he addressed the speaker.

In response, Vadim Gigin noted that Belarus has public associations such as Belaya Rus, trade unions, and veteran organizations. Their main task is to find active people, help them promote ideas, and provide comprehensive support in implementing socially significant projects.

He emphasized that the state has created all the conditions for new civic initiatives to emerge. «If you believe that existing associations do not fully align with your goals, you can always find another organization among the hundreds registered in the country, or you can set up your own. The main thing is that it supports the constitutional order and does not violate our rules, laws, and regulations. In this regard, we have complete freedom of choice,» he concluded.

Summing up the meeting, Vadim Gigin noted that people are thinking about patriotic education. «Our people speak openly about the problems that exist. We can confidently look each other in the eye and maintain the level of openness and trust that has always been our strength, which has allowed us to overcome any difficulties. That is precisely why we travel around the country. To see, to talk, to discuss whether citizens really think the way we do, whether they are truly striving for the same goals, whether they assess problems the same way. Yes, we are Belarusians, we may think differently, but our goals are shared, our country is shared, and this feeling exists among our citizens in different regions,» the political scientist concluded.