Lukashenko: Great Victory has become integral part of Belarusian national idea

Great Victory has become an integral part of the national idea, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a ceremony on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of Great Victory at the Victory Monument in Minsk on 9 May, BelTA has learned.

"I wish you Happy Great Victory Day. This victory helped to preserve the Belarusian people and predetermined the path of development of all generations of Belarusians. It has become an integral part of the national idea," Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Today, standing at the sacred Eternal Flame we bow before our veterans, pay tribute to the memory of those who died defending our right to live. To live freely in our native land and in our own state."

The president stressed that Belarus remembers everyone who held back the enemy on the border, near Minsk and Mogilev, who was tortured in the Gestapo dungeons, who was burned down in Khatyn, Dalva and Trostenets.

"We remember everyone. Every inch of our native land is soaked with their blood. Hitler's executioners brought us grief and death. They wanted to wipe us, Belarusians, Russians, Ukrainians, off the face of the earth, and also Jews, Gypsies, Tatars and others who they considered ‘subhumans'. The Soviet Union, our great common homeland, sacrificed millions of lives for Victory. The past eighty years have not eased this pain. Honor and glory to the winners!" the head of state said.

Those present at the ceremony at the Victory Monument observed a minute a silence in tribute to the memory of those who died.

"I want to thank all those who came to this sacred square today. They should see and know there that we have not forgotten, that Belarus remembers. As long as we come here together with our children, Belarus will always remember," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.