Dear veterans, dear colleagues!

On behalf of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and my own behalf, I congratulate you on the Victory Day!

Already for the 76th time we meet peaceful May and celebrate the heroism of our people, they are courage, dedication, shown during the Great Patriotic War. Today we must pay tribute to our fathers and grandfathers, preserve the memory of the heroic deeds of fellow countrymen, all defenders of the Fatherland, not only in today’s generation, but also in the next.

Unity, courage, the ability to overcome the greatest difficulties in spite of everything – this is what we need to learn from the generation of winners. The war tempered these people, and even today, in conversations with veterans, we can feel the core of character that was forged in the crucible of the battles of the Great Patriotic War.

This holiday requires special relevance in the Year of National Unity, which is taking place in our country. The struggle against a common enemy united Soviet people of different nationalities. Having shown unprecedented courage in the struggle for the freedom of a united Motherland, the people of the USSR, having united together, won the Great Victory.

Today, special concern is caused by the growing momentum of the campaign to rewrite the history of World War II, attempts to amnesty war criminals and their assistants. In this turbulent time, our historical memory of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War should be the foundation that will become the basis of our pride. The basis that allows to unite all generations of Belarusian citizens.

A special role in preserving this historical truth and memory belongs to historians, archivists, who do a lot to perpetuate the feat of the Soviet people. This year the All-Belarusian action “The People’s Chronicle of the Great Patriotic War: Let’s Remember All!”, initiated by the NAS of Belarus, will allow one to get acquainted with the fates and stories of participants and witnesses of one of the most terrible tragedies of the last century. It is planned to present to the public the second volume of the project.

Victory Day is one of the most important holidays in the life of each of us. We must remember that war so that it really becomes the last on the territory of our country.

Today our duty is to reach everyone who survived the dramatic events of 1941 – 1945: to support them, give warmth, show care and attention.

Low bow to you, dear veterans!
Good health, long life and warmth!
I sincerely wish you all prosperity and success!
Happy Victory Day!

Vladimir Gusakov,
The Chairman of the Presidium of the NASB, Academician