The club for strengthening family values "Happiness" has been established in the Vitebsk region.
The club was created with the aim of promoting the strengthening of the institution of the traditional family, and supporting motherhood and childhood. The leaders of the region's women's movement called on men to join this work, counting on support for their initiative.
The Chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Belarusian Women's Union, Head of the Main Department of Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee, Marina Novitskaya, solemnly presented certificates of honorary participant of the Vitebsk Regional Club "Happiness" to the First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Anatoly Linevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk City Council of Deputies Vladimir Belevich, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Public Association "Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan" Valerian Matskevich, Director of the "Vitebskvodokanal" branch of the unitary enterprise "Vitebskoblvodokanal" Vadim Kopylov, and other prominent representatives of the stronger sex in the region who support the women's union.
Vicar of the Vitebsk Diocese of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, Bishop Yevsevy of Drutsky, 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 be happy without faith.
There are 11,768 large families in the Vitebsk region. The hall welcomed representatives of these families – the Avlukov, Lebedev, Chernovsky, and Menshikov families, who are raising 5 children each.
“How can this be? There is happiness in life, but we don't have such a club!” – once addressed to the head of the main department of ideological work and youth affairs of the regional executive committee, chairman of the public association “Belarusian Women's Union” of the Vitebsk region, Marina Novitskaya, one of her associates in the women's movement. They thought about it and... created such a club, and its grand opening took place today in the Vitebsk concert hall.Marina Novitskaya spoke about its goals and plans:– We plan for such a club to operate in all regions. The main goal is to unite people who will bring to society the fundamental, traditional values inherent in Belarusian people: family, relationships between men and women, respect for the older generation, love for the homeland, joy of life under a peaceful sky, and pride in the achievements we have. Let this club, which we have named “Happiness,” become a place of attraction not only for people who are truly happy and successful, but, most importantly, also for those who are still unsure about something, have doubts, have not yet found themselves in life or their soulmate. Meetings and communication among like-minded people will help with this. The age of the internet and social networks has largely divided people, so we invite representatives of different generations to the club for open communication. The forms and topics of meetings will depend on the initiatives of the members of the women's union, but it is certain that men will also participate. We will involve them!
Marina Novitskaya presented honorary participant certificates for the regional club "Happiness" of the public association "Belarusian Union of Women" to all of them. The club was established to strengthen families, enhance parenting effectiveness, and preserve and develop moral, spiritual, and family values, in which men play a significant role.
Upon receiving such a certificate, Anatoly Linevich, First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, said:
– I am glad to see so many bright smiles, friendly faces, kind, respected people in this hall, whose mere presence warms us on such a gloomy, cold day. Each of us has our own understanding of happiness, and it differs in every family. However, perhaps the most important thing that should unite us is mutual respect. And also – an understanding of the value of every day, hour, and minute of life. We must be grateful for living under a peaceful sky, for having family, loved ones, and friends nearby; for the freedom to work, communicate, travel, visit, and raise children and grandchildren.
Congratulations were extended by guests of the event – Olga Vasilyeva, head of the Smolensk Regional Branch of the "Union of Women of Russia" and deputy of the Smolensk Regional Duma, and Andrey Gerashchenko, chairman of the Vitebsk Public Association "Russian House."
Guests presented the medal "For Love and Fidelity" to Vitebsk jubilee couples – Vasily and Irina Krivko, who have been married for 30 years, Vladimir and Tatyana Rezanovich (30 years), Sergey and Zinaida Olsevich (35 years).
The event was graced by performances from creative groups of the Vitebsk Culture Center and the regional philharmonic.