Dear women!
Dear colleagues!

On behalf of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and on my own behalf, I sincerely congratulate you on the long-awaited spring holiday - Women's Day!

It is no coincidence that this holiday has become the personification of spring, love and beauty – everything that is connected in the heart of every person with the image of a mother, sister, beloved. That is why these sublime feelings become a source of hope for a peaceful future for us and strengthen the desire for creation.

The role of women in the modern world is rapidly increasing: never before has history seen such high activity of women in the most important areas of society’s development, in vital sectors of the economy and state building. And this is no coincidence - who else but you are accustomed to carrying on your fragile shoulders the responsibility not only for the birth and upbringing of children, for the well-being of the family hearth, but also for successes in the workplace. During the years of severe military trials, you coped with the hardest physical work, replacing husbands, fathers and brothers who went to the front.

The role of women in science is especially noticeably increasing. Many of you achieve outstanding success. Every year, women scientists are among the winners of various prestigious awards and prizes in the scientific field. About 50% of the NAS of Belarus are women. Your participation in research enriches the scientific community with diversity and innovative ideas. By the way, the title of "Scientist of the Year" was recently awarded to the remarkable chemist Elena Kalinichenko. The first Belarusian cosmonaut was also a woman - Hero of Belarus Marina Vasilevskaya. There are also many women among those who defended the best, according to the Higher Attestation Commission, doctoral and candidate dissertations.

The great physicist Marie Sklodovskaya-Curie said: "In science we must be interested in things, not individuals." It is precisely the work capacity of women that is at the forefront of many major scientific victories today.

Dear women! Please accept my most heartfelt congratulations on this holiday!

Thank you for everything. For your kindness, love and tenderness, work and patience. For being a source of inspiration for us.

Let there always be spring in your soul! And happiness, love and luck never leave you! Health, prosperity, kindness and good mood to you and your loved ones!

Vladimir GUSAKOV,
Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus, Academician