President: Belarus will continue preserving its historical legacy

The policy aimed at preserving the historical legacy in Belarus will be continued, President Alexander Lukashenko said today during the ceremony of consecrating the re-created reliquary of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk in the Monastery of the Saviour and St. Euphrosyne. “Preserving historical legacy in Belarus is one of the priority areas of the cultural policy. Today the state list of historical and cultural values includes over five thousand unique monuments, each of them being given special attention by the state,” the Belarusian leader said. Following the presidential order, on the land of Polotsk, in the cradle of Belarusian history, within a short period of time an integrated long-term programme of development of the town of Polotsk and the Polotsk National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve has been fulfilled. The ancient town has become a cultural tourist centre of Belarus, the Head of State said. This year, the Euphrosyne of Polotsk’s memorial day has been marked by a momentous event – the consecration of the re-created reliquary of the saint defender of Belarus. “The entire life of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, her religious, public and political activity is an example of loyalty to Christian ideals, a specimen of allegiance to the lofty calling which was to educate and enlighten people, to teach them live in accordance with the laws of mercy and morality,” Alexander Lukashenko said. The state gave full support to the initiative put forward by the Belarusian Exarchate to re-create the reliquary of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk and the necessary assistance.