The State Flag of Belarus was raised to one of the highest points in Vitebsk
The honorable right to carry the State Flag was granted to Lieutenant Colonel of the reserve, veteran of the Afghan War, Chairman of the regional branch of the public association "Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan" Valerian Matskevich, who handed over the main symbol of the country for honoring to the Chairman of the regional executive committee Alexander Subbotin.
The banner, measuring 2x4 meters, was hoisted to a height of 56 meters by employees of the "Vityaz" fire and rescue squad: Alexander Selivanov, Dmitry Yakushenko, and Alexey Paramonov. After that, the anthem of the Republic of Belarus was played.
– We have gathered to pay tribute to the main symbol of the Belarusian state – the State Flag – in a unified patriotic impulse. Through the decades, the red-and-green banner has embodied the aspiration of Belarusians to live in peace and harmony, – Alexander Subbotin addressed the attendees. – The path to statehood, which fell to the lot of Belarusians, was difficult and thorny. Only in the 20th century did we get a chance for self-determination. The Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic became the foundation for the creation of sovereign Belarus. As one of the founding members of the United Nations, the BSSR adopted a new, red-and-green flag in 1951, emphasizing the state's identity and independence.
The colors of our flag reflect the connection of the present with the past and future of the people. Belarus is the first country in the world to use a national ornament as an element of its state flag – it is a symbol of the ancient culture of the people, its spiritual wealth. Its content tells about bread, harvest, and the continuation of the family line. The ornament on the flag is based on a pattern woven in 1917 by Matryona Markevich, a resident of the Senno district of our region.
At the referendum in 1995, Belarusians chose the current flag, emblem, and anthem, reflecting the inseparable connection between the historical and modern stages of the country's formation. Under this flag, Belarus has been dynamically developing and asserting itself in the international arena for over a quarter of a century. It illuminates our sports victories, represents our country in other states, and strengthens national unity and the patriotic spirit of the Belarusian people.
Understanding the deep historical and political significance of the flag and emblem of Belarus is an integral part of the general culture of every Belarusian and a source of patriotism. Today, we honor the flag of the Republic, flying high and proudly in the heart of the regional center, and declare with pride: we are citizens of a peace-loving and independent Belarus!
After the flag raising ceremony, ceremonial detachments of the Vitebsk garrison troops, employees of the regional department of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee marched in accompanied by a military brass band.
The event was attended by representatives of local authorities, the public, and residents of the regional center.
"The flag is not just a piece of cloth, it is truly a symbol. And seeing how our Olympic champions raise it on the pedestal, how it rises above the major peaks of the world, how this banner is always at the forefront of all ceremonial events, it is imbued with sacred meaning. It is our independence, it is our country, it is our foundation and an object of respect and veneration. That is why it was decided to hoist the flag at one of the highest points of the city and establish another good tradition in our region - on the Day of the State Emblem and the State Flag, I think we will gather in this square. Someone will take the oath here, we will hold rallies, emphasizing how important this is to us," concluded Alexander Subbotin.