Miory Regional Executive Committee
The ceremonial opening of the regional club "Happiness", established at the initiative of the public association "Belarusian Women's Union", took place in the "Vitebsk" concert hall.
The club was established to facilitate the strengthening of the traditional family institution and to support motherhood and childhood. Leaders of the regional women's movement called on men to join this work, counting on their support for the initiative.
Marina Novitskaya, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Belarusian Women's Union and Head of the Main Directorate for Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee, ceremonially presented certificates of honorary member of the Vitebsk Regional Club "Happiness" to Anatoly Linievich, First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Vladimir Belevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk City Council of Deputies, Valeryan Matskevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Public Association "Belarusian Union of Afghanistan War Veterans", Vadim Kopylov, Director of the "Vitebskvodokanal" Branch of the Unitary Enterprise "Vitebskoblvodokanal", and other prominent male representatives in the region who lend their support to the Women's Union.
Vicar of the Vitebsk Diocese of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, Bishop Evsey of Drutsk, speaking about happiness, noted that it, like a flower, requires watering and care, emphasized the importance of marriage and family, and also expressed confidence that it is impossible to achieve happiness without faith.
The Vitebsk Region has 11,768 families with many children. The audience welcomed their representatives – the Avlukov, Lebedev, Chernovsky, and Menshikov families, each raising five children.
“How can it be? Happiness exists in life, yet we do not have such a club!” – thus spoke one of the fellow activists of the women’s movement to Marina Novitskaya, Head of the Main Directorate for Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee and Chairperson of the Public Association “Belarusian Union of Women” for the Vitebsk Region. After due consideration, they decided to establish such a club, and its official opening ceremony was held today in the “Vitebsk” Concert Hall.
Speaking on the club’s objectives and plans, Marina Novitskaya stated: “We intend for such clubs to operate across all regions. The primary objective is to unite individuals who will promote core traditional values characteristic of Belarusians: family, relationships between men and women, respect for the older generation, love for the motherland, joy of living under a peaceful sky, and pride in our accomplishments. We hope that this club, which we have named “Happiness”, will become a gathering place not only for truly happy and successful individuals, but primarily for those who are currently uncertain, doubting, have not yet found their path in life, or their soulmate. Regular meetings and dialogue with like-minded individuals will assist them in this regard. The era of the Internet and social media has, to a large extent, fragmented society; therefore, we invite representatives of all generations to engage in open dialogue within the club. The formats and themes of meetings will be driven by the initiatives of the Union of Women members, but it is certain that men will actively participate in these events. We will continue to involve them! Accordingly, thirteen distinguished gentlemen were invited to the inaugural official meeting – prominent figures in the city and region who contributed their support during the club’s establishment. Among them are Vladimir Belevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk City Council of Deputies; Valeryan Matskevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Public Association “Belarusian Union of Veterans of the Afghan War”; Alexander Losyakin, Director of the Vitebsk State Technical College; Gleb Lapitsky, General Director of the “Vitebsk” Culture Centre; Dmitry Kazak, Director of the Vitebsk Branch of the Republican Unitary Enterprise “Beltelecom”; and others.
Marina Novitskaya presented certificates of honorary members of the regional “Happiness” Club of the Public Association “Belarusian Union of Women” to all of them, established
Upon receiving such a certificate, the First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Anatoly Linevich, said:
– I am glad to see so many warm smiles, friendly faces, kind and respected people in this hall, whose very presence already warms us on such an inclement, cold day. Each of us has our own understanding of happiness, and it differs from family to family. But perhaps the main thing that should unite us is mutual respect. And also – an appreciation of the value of every day, hour, and minute of life. We should be grateful that we live under a peaceful sky, that we have family, loved ones, and friends nearby; that we can work freely, communicate, travel, visit one another, and raise children and grandchildren.
Congratulations were delivered by the event guests – Olga Vasilieva, Head of the Smolensk Regional Branch of the “Union of Women of Russia” and Deputy of the Smolensk Regional Duma, and Andrei Gerashchenko, Chairman of the Vitebsk Public Association “Russian House”.
Guests presented the medal "For Love and Fidelity" to Vitebsk jubilee couples – Vasiliy and Irina Krivko, who have been married for 30 years, Vladimir and Tatyana Rezanovich (30 years), Sergei and Zinaida Olsevich (35 years).
The highlight of the event was the performance by creative collectives of the Vitebsk Culture Center and the Regional Philharmonic.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by