The forum 'Parental Love is a Great Force' was held for the first time in Vitebsk
Anatoly Linevich emphasized the value of family in our lives:
– In the world, the institution of family is losing its significance. But we want to preserve it so that our state is strong. A strong family is the foundation of everything, it is a strong state, and our task is to strengthen its role; this is very important today. For a child, mother and father are the foundation of life. May our homes be filled with children's laughter and may love live in them.
No matter how old we are – five or 35, when our parents are with us, we have support. Becoming parents, we become support for our children. This was discussed by Marina Novitskaya, head of the main department of ideological work and youth affairs of the regional executive committee, chairman of the regional organization of the BWS.
– Many young children today are deprived of parental love for various reasons. But there are kind-hearted people who become truly dear to them. We have foster and adoptive families, – noted Marina Vladimirovna. – I want to thank them, as well as those who raise three or more children, fathers who independently raise sons and daughters, setting an example of courage and love. Be proud of your children, fathers and mothers, cherish them, and love for family will warm each of us.
The chairperson of the regional public organization of soldiers' mothers, Ekaterina Kushnerova, shared how mothers' hearts ached with longing when their sons served in hot spots and in difficult moments remembered their families, trying in short and infrequent letters to reassure their loved ones and instill hope that everything would be alright... Ekaterina Alekseevna wished all mothers to see their sons return from the army.
The war in Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of 150 residents of the Vitebsk region, affected many forum participants. Their mothers and widows were present in the hall.
– Only you know what you went through after losing your dearest people, many of you were left with small children in your arms, – addressed them the chairman of the regional organization of the Belarusian Union of War Veterans of Afghanistan, Valerian Matskevich, who expressed words of support to the women and wished them peaceful skies above their heads.
On the eve of Father's Day, the important role of the head of the family in raising children was discussed. Guests from Gymnasium No. 1 of Novopolotsk presented the project "Fathers and Sons Workshop," the essence of which is for fathers to teach their sons to perform male labor. The project has been gaining popularity in the oil city for the second year and is primarily useful for strengthening family ties.
Sometimes the bond between family members is so strong that children choose their parents' profession as their life's work. This is how family dynasties are born. An example was the Machyarnene family dynasty, present at the celebration, three generations of whom work at OJSC "Vityaz."
Forum participants emphasized that family support in Belarus is a national priority. The state focuses on low-income, foster, and large families.
The Pogorelov family came from the agro-town of Oktyabrskaya, Vitebsk region. Spouses Anatoly and Oksana with children Alina, Yulia, and Artyom became winners of the competitions "Best Large Family-2019" and "Family for Safety Together!". Parents devote their free time to developing their children. And the children achieve success in their studies, sports, and creative pursuits, as evidenced by awards, including the prize of the regional Council of Deputies.
The Chernovsky family from Vitebsk has as many as seven "I"s. Father Anatoly is a sole proprietor, mother Olga is a teacher, this year she was awarded the Order of Motherhood, and in 2016 she received the Z. Tusnolobova-Marchenko prize. The couple has five children – daughters 18-year-old Alina, 14-year-old Victoria, twins Sasha and Misha – who are seven years old – and two-year-old Maria. The Chernovskys set an example of cohesion and mutual support.
As noted by the Vice-Rector for Educational Work of the Vitebsk Theological Seminary, Priest Dionisy Andreev, the family is Noah's Ark, in which we can all be preserved. Our love, history, traditions, and the continuity of generations live in it.
It was decided to make the forum dedicated to the family a traditional event.
The highlight of the event was the wonderful performances by the gymnasium's creative groups.