- We are proud of our country! Of what surrounds us, of the peace we have. We are proud that we have tasty products in our stores. These small things make up the happiness that we sometimes don't feel. All this is the result of years of our independence, our work, - noted the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Committee Alexander Subbotin.

The main event of the holiday was the speech by the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.

- We are continuing the history of an unconquered people. The memory of their feat is a matter of national dignity, without which talk of independence, sovereignty, and freedom is just words. We rely on real experience, real achievements. How many peoples do we know who were brought to the brink of complete annihilation, like the Soviet people, the Belarusians, but stood firm with weapons in their hands?

Many countries in the world became independent thanks to that Great Victory. Many peoples gained the opportunity to choose their own path of development.

Let me remind you, independence comes at a high price. A very high price. And it's not just about the economy.

We, Belarusians, paid the most terrible price for it. Therefore, in every new military conflict unleashed on the planet now, we see a personal tragedy, we hear the echo of the Great Patriotic War, - emphasized the President.

After the President's speech at the Palace of Independence, the concert of arts masters "Voice of the Native Land" began.

The first to perform before the residents and guests of the capital were People's Artist of Belarus Anatoly Yarmolenko, and Honored Collectives of Belarus - the ensemble "Syabry", and the ensemble of dance, music and song "Belye Rosy" with the premiere of the composition "Voice of the Native Land".

Honored Artist of Belarus Irina Dorofeeva, and the National Academic Choir of the Republic of Belarus named after Tsitovich also presented their performances.

Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus Ruslan Chernetsky, soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus Kirill Panfilov, as well as ballet artists of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus touched the audience with their performance of the work "And Maybe There Was No War".

After that, the premiere of the song "Once Upon a Time" took place, performed by Lera Bernatovich, the representative of Belarus at the XXXIV International Competition of Pop Song Performers "Vitebsk".

The theme of love for the Motherland and the Great Patriotic War was demonstrated in the performances of the other artists. Among them are the group "Skynet", Honored Artists of the Republic of Belarus Zhanet, Alyona Lanskaya, young performers - Alexandra Melekh, Evgeny Ermolkovich, Nastya Kravchenko, Nikita Belko, Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Solodukha, and others.

- I am very glad to be in Minsk on the eve of such a significant holiday for the country. Independence Day is, first and foremost, an opportunity to honor the memory of our ancestors who fought for freedom and a peaceful sky overhead.

This is my first time attending such a large-scale event, and I saw the President of Belarus live. I am proud of our head of state, my fellow countrymen, and their sporting and creative achievements. The event organization is at the highest level, and the concert provided a lot of vivid emotions, - shared Elena Yablonskaya from the Rossony district.

vitebsk-region.gov.by