MINSK, 28 December (BelTA) – In Belarus everything necessary for a happy life and creative upbringing of children is available, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in his speech at the New Year charity performance held for children at the Palace of the Republic on 28 December. The head of state told the children that “In this complicated time when we build our country, we do our best to create conditions to allow you to grow up as smart, beautiful and happy people who will love their Motherland”. “The New Year is a special holiday that will set one’s mood for 365 days forward. This is why it is always very pleasant to start celebrating the New Year by meeting with you, younger citizens of Belarus. It is symbolical because you are the future of our country. You will be the ones to build our independent, beautiful and blue-eyed Belarus,” noted Alexander Lukashenko. The head of state stressed that young Belarusians have access to the latest technologies. “In short you can accomplish anything in your country,” said the President. He reminded that in Belarus computer and space technologies are developed, towns and villages are renewed, ice and water palaces are built as well as cycling tracks and Alpine skiing facilities. The National Library, one of the world’s best libraries, has been built in Belarus. The renewed opera and ballet theatre has been re-opened. “I would very much like you to treasure the fact that you have such a piece of land where the skies are peaceful, where you can study at good schools and go in for the things you like. We, the adults, have done our best to make the New Year a happy one for you,” said the Belarus President. Part of the action Our Children, the country’s most important New Year celebration for children has gathered 2,370 kids aged 8-14 from various parts of Belarus. The number includes children from asylums and children without parental care, children raised by foster families, kids from refugee families, and winners of international, national and regional academic excellence competitions, creative contests, festivals and sports competitions. The charity action Our Children is held from 20 December to 10 January 2010. Among the participants are government agencies, concerns, banks, public associations and other juridical persons (a total of 92). Their representatives are suggested to visit 142 children’s socially important facilities. The nationwide action is supposed to take care of over 12,000 sick children, orphans, handicapped children, children whose parents died on the line of duty.

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