Lukashenko attended nationwide meeting of student teams
Minsk, 13 December – Before taking part in a nationwide meeting of student teams Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko went to an interactive exhibition that highlighted various aspects of the student team movement.
The exhibition in the entry hall of the Sport Palace introduced visitors to the history of the student team movement in the Soviet Union and in modern Belarus. It featured photos of large-scale construction projects where students of Belarusian higher education institutions worked as teams. The organizers came up with a photo of the president: it pictures Aleksandr Lukashenko in the company of his own student team.
“The guys have found unique photos. They say there are familiar members of the student teams. A land reclamation canal in Bykhov District. But unfortunately, they don’t have the original,” First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union Aleksandr Lukyanov said.
“This one looks like me,” the head of state agreed.
Pedagogical student teams presented themed tabletop games at the exhibition (“My virgin soil”, “The chronograph of historical memory: Belarus’ liberation” and other ones) and a historical reenactment of the heroic deed of defenders of the city of Polotsk using virtual reality technologies. All of it was developed and made by participants of student teams. They use it when they work as camp counsellors in health improvement camps and during patriotic events.
“Over 650 pedagogical teams or over 7,000 fighters have worked this year,” the students told the president. “We highly appreciate our work and take pleasure in participating in all events. And certainly we don’t remain idle. We grow and we also develop games leveraging virtual reality.”
At the location featuring student teams working in the manufacturing sector participants of the student team Molot [hammer] named after Hero of the Soviet Union P.M. Gavrilov arranged a master class by assembling the engine for a VAZ-2106 car. The head of state saw an assembled engine.
“This is hardware. By doing it, they acquire the main skills: how things should be matched, assembly, and disassembly. And then they work at MTZ, at MAZ,” Aleksandr Lukyanov explained.
“Well, this is useful!” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.
The first secretary of the Central Committee of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union noted that student teams work at many enterprises. Atlant Company offers the largest number of jobs to them. Students have helped assemble about 23,000 refrigerators and 4,000 washing machines this year.
“I’ve seen it. Well done for not leaving Atlant Company. They may be able to push Atlant to the top,” the president supposed.
But the key brand of the student work movement is construction work after all. Students work at many construction sites, including landmark ones. This year they have also helped restore sidewalks after boisterous weather.
“A program has been developed thanks to support from the Education Ministry. And they are already getting blue-collar professions. Including track servicemen. Over 5,000 certificates like that have been granted this year,” Aleksandr Lukyanov said.
“Thank you. We need it a lot,” the head of state thanked the guys.
Student teams working in agriculture presented innovative products, which offer new opportunities for the efficient use of the reproductive potential of animals and for creating a strategic stock of the genetic material for the animal husbandry industry.
Many members of the agricultural student teams work as harvester driver assistants. Aleksandr Lukashenko wondered whether they can drive a harvester themselves.
“I already can,” stated Dmitry Liskovets, a student of Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University. He harvested over 1,000 tonnes of grain during the harvesting campaign.
“Which harvester?” the president asked for clarification.
It turned out that Dmitry Liskovets operated a Don 1500B harvester. The head of state remarked that the guy should drive a more up-to-date harvester already: “That is not a harvester. We’ll give you a better one.”
Student teams working in healthcare demonstrated a simulator for the cardiopulmonary resuscitation of an adult at the exhibition. They also presented innovative projects “Silver-bearing medical bandages”, “The cosmetic complex Gluderm”, “Individual compression garments for treating cicatrical skin changes”, “Inner sole for easy walking and running”.
The venue organized by student teams working in the service sector looked like a photo studio with a green screen and multiple photo cameras: there are future reporters among members of this particular student team. Participants of the nationwide meeting of student teams were offered a master class on photography using a film photo camera Zenit made in the 1980s. Aleksandr Lukashenko posed for a commemorative photo as well.
“I had a slightly larger photo camera. This one is not exactly like that, I guess. But this reflex camera was awesome!” the head of state recalled his youth.
Modern selfies using a smartphone were also taken.
“Labor!” the president started saying.
“Is cool!” members of the student teams finished saying.
“Everyone is so advanced!” the Belarusian leader shared impressions of what he had seen.
Then, Aleksandr Lukashenko addressed students at the closing ceremony of the third labor semester of 2024.
“You are young people; you have all your lives ahead of you. You write the story of your life every day, every hour. You try to write the story of your life in bright chapters. My advice to you: light up your lives with bright colors. Participation in the student construction movement will be one of the brightest chapters of your lives. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about, because I once took an active part in this movement,” the Belarusian leader said.
Addressing the youth, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that all kinds of things will happen in their lives. Some will be good, some not. But bad things will be forgotten. “You will remember good things. The higher you climb the career ladder, the more you will refer to those chapters of your life, which you colored in bright colors when you were young. This labor chapter will always be bright,” the president emphasized.
The head of state stated that he has many chaptersin his life, but while at this event he remembered the bright chapter of working in student teams. “Of course, the motivation was a little different. It hasn't disappeared though. All of us want to earn some money in order to provide for ourselves. Even if our parents are well-off, we still try to be independent when we're young, including financially. It hasn't gone anywhere. But you are quite different from what we were,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He also noted that now when he meets with villagers and workers he has something to say to them, including thanks to his experience of working in student brigades. “I want you to gain this experience too to have something to say to people after many decades. And not only to your children, but also to those interlocutors with whom you will meet. I believe that new leaders, new ministers and so on will grow from this movement which unites 4,000 people today. I am sure that most of you will be able to grow to leadership positions and once you are there you will leaf through your lives to tell others what you were like. And you were good,” the head of state said.
"Back in 1959, young people with sparkling eyes and a great desire to make their country better, just like you, signed up for the first Soviet student construction team to go to the virgin lands. I was exactly the same at that time. One summer when working in the construction team I learned to lay bricks, during another summer I gained experience in land improvement," the head of state shared his memories.
He noted that this experience is relevant in his current job, because land improvement is a permanent matter of Belarus. "We always have something to repair and modernize. This year we will improve more than 100,000 hectares of land and start planting crops on it again. You see, it is useful in life," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state stated that back in the day it was not only the way to earn money for young people, although that was also very important. "It was the way to grow, to become adult, independent. We had a lot to be proud of," the Belarusian leader emphasized. "It is very important now. At that time we were adults and independent, because the times were not easy. Today everything is easier. You probably did not notice how you became absolutely different people working in student teams. But your parents, friends and relatives noticed it."
"I know that many heads of enterprises and even ministries first showed their leadership skills exactly when they worked in student teams. They come from there. They still keep their uniform jackets as a sacred labor relic," the head of state added.
“Student teams are not only about bridges, roads, and buildings. They are always about people and their relationships. This is why factory managers who provide working places for you are far-sighted and wise people who care for young people and the future not only of their enterprises, but also of the whole country. Such people should be supported,” the head of state said.
“I've been told that even after the labor shift is over, many guys are looking for a place to put their skills to use. They say: if you don't carry water in the morning, chop wood or feed cows, the day has been wasted. This should be your way of thinking,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
"Do not lose your enthusiasm. Remember that your ideas and boundless energy move Belarus forward. I believe in you, your strength and talents. I know for sure that more great discoveries and achievements are ahead of us. Because we live in such time. And this time chose us!" the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that for 65 years several generations, millions of people worked in student teams. "It is encouraging that Belarus and Russia are the only countries in the post-Soviet space that have preserved this wonderful initiative for young people and given it a new lease of life," he noted.
About 20 years ago, in 2003, sovereign Belarus implemented the first youth construction projects: overhaul of the Khatyn and Mound of Glory memorial complexes. "It was a good start," the Belarusian leader stated.
"Further, your hard work helped to reconstruct the Augustow Canal, build the BelNPP, the State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, and other landmark sites. You initiated the participation in the construction of these objects. A short while ago we met at the opening of the renovated Tractor Stadium. I saw how proud and happy you were. I am convinced that those who have gained such experience are true patriots of our country. You are different, you are true patriots, because someone who builds something with their own hands will never destroy anything and will not allow others to do it," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He recalled that in April at the Belarusian People's Congress young people asked to support their initiative and assign the status of All-Belarusian Youth Construction Site to the construction sites of National Center for Patriotic Education of Youth at the Kobrin fortification of the Brest Fortress. "The landmark project not only united the whole country. It became international. Over 200 foreigners also made their contribution. I am sure that there will be other All-Belarusian Youth Construction Sites, where you will work at an accelerated pace, as always. In five, ten, or maybe twenty years you will be proud to show your children what you created. I believe this tradition will continue," the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko presented a challenge banner to the Blokhin construction team Zodchie, the best student team of 2024.
The Zodchie [Architects] team has been set up at Euphrosyne of Polotsk State University of Polotsk and includes 10 people. They worked on the construction of the National Center for Patriotic Education of Youth at the Kobrin fortification of the Brest Fortress. This prohect was given the status of the All-Belarusian Youth Construction Site.
In their turn members of student teams presented a symbolic memorable gift, a trowel.
The trowel is the main instrument symbolizing construction, consolidation of people, peace and creative work , namely the key factors in the development of the Belarusian state.
The blade of the trowel features images of All-Belarusian Youth Construction Sites made in galvanic etching technique: a part of the Augustow Canal, facilities of the BelNPP, the museum of the Khatyn memorial complex, the National Center for Patriotic Education of Youth at the Kobrin fortification of the Brest Fortress.
Holding the trowel in hand, the president pointed out that it is only a souvenir. "If you work with this trowel for a day, you won't want to live. It weighs about five kilograms," Aleksandr Lukashenko said humorously. When he was a student, he also worked in student teams. Among other things, he had to work with a trowel. "One summer when working in the construction team I learned to lay bricks, during another summer I gained experience in land improvement," the head of state noted.
The president thanked for such an unusual gift and promised to place it in a museum of gifts in the Palace of Independence. The museum houses gifts presented to the head of state by the leaders of other countries, political and public figures, famous people and labor teams of Belarusian enterprises and organizations.
Participants made a proposal to assign the status of the All-Belarusian Youth Construction Site to two projects: the construction of the National History Museum and the People's Unity Park.
Before making a decision, the president clarified: “Will you manage?”
“We will!” the students assured the head of state.
In response, Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that the construction of these facilities, as well as many others, requires considerable financial expenditures, which mainly come from the budget, but the entire Belarusian society should contribute to this course. “This will be your solid contribution. Generations will remember it,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
“I don't mind. We always need working hands,” the Belarusian leader said.
“Dear Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko]! You have made this celebration truly unforgettable for all of us. Thanks to your support all members of the student teams will accomplish their missions. After all, our faith and strength come from you”. He invited the head of state to join in a good tradition of student teams and sing the Song of Restless Youth together with everyone in the hall.
The president noted with a bit of humor that it is quite difficult to sing together with People’s Artist Vladimir Gromov because his voice would certainly be most prominent. But if someone sings out of tune, then the mistake will be lost in the singing of the choir that involves everyone present.
After the singing the head of state thanked Vladimir Gromov for the excellent performance of the song. “It is very important, I’ve noticed that all the executives, ministers, members of the government [who were present at the event] sang the song,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The Song of Restless Youth is a popular Soviet song written by the composer Aleksandra Pakhmutova and the poet Lev Oshanin in 1958 for the movie “Po tu storonu” [on the other side] directed by Fyodor Filippov. Inspired by the similarly-named novel by Viktor Kin, the movie focused on the hard life of Soviet Komsomol members in the 1920s.
One of the stanzas of the song goes like this:
“We have a simple concern,
Our concern is this:
To keep our country alive,
And there are no other concerns!”