Before the concert in Vitebsk, Nikolai Lukashenko spoke about his relationship with his father, social networks and his role in the "Marathon of Unity"

The number where the son of President Nikolai Lukashenko and his teacher Elena Ostashkina-Myslivchik play the pianos became a vivid part of the concert "Time chose us", which traditionally completes the republican socio-cultural action "Marathon of Unity". BELTA correspondents managed to talk with Nikolai Lukashenko before the concert in Vitebsk. The President's son told how the idea for this speech came about, what he puts into such a comprehensive concept as unity, and whether he has social networks.

- Nikolai, you participate in almost every "Unity Marathon". Is this a kind of obligation for you, or is there still some kind of personal interest, where the creative, emotional component is based? After all, the emotions of the audience, which were felt at your performance already on September 17 at the Minsk Arena, are something unimaginable.

- Given our experience of performing, I suggested that we could put on a good number and show it at a concert at the Minsk Arena on September 17. To show how we see national unity. Then this number became quite a major milestone of the concert "Time chose us". Not because we wrote it or I'm performing there, but precisely because of the message and scale. And we decided, so to speak, to stake it out at the "Unity Marathon" so that more people would see it.

- And how do you manage to combine your studies and the schedule of the Unity Marathon? Is there any secret how to keep up with everything?

- When a person is responsible, he mobilizes and makes every effort. That's how it works in my case. I feel a lot of responsibility.

Well, I want to say that this is not the first time I have had such a load. I do a lot of things. You see a lot of things on TV, and there is even more that is not visible. Therefore, I take the concert in particular and the Marathon in general with great gratitude. I have the opportunity to implement some of my creative ideas here, to work together with teams. After all, there are a lot of people working here who spend their strength and energy, probably even more than I do. And I understand that there are a huge number of 20-year-old guys who can do this job as well as I can. Maybe more talented in terms of performing this composition. I mean professional artists. But I'm the one doing it. I regard this as a great opportunity and treat it with great gratitude. Therefore, this is happiness for me.

- And why did you choose such a musical instrument as a piano?

- He is one of the most classic. This tool is self-sufficient, it seems to me. And so, I would say that I had an equal chance to practice, for example, vocals. But I took up the piano, and I've been playing for the 11th year.

When adults believe that such values as peace and goodness have outgrown, and the death of the people and the future begins

- Do you have a favorite number in the program "Time chose us"?

- I like different rooms. I really like the children's numbers - they embody everything that we show in this "Marathon". In simple childish language, they convey fundamental, very complex truths that we adults have forgotten and outgrown. Or we think we've outgrown it. What kind of goodness, what kind of peace? We're adults. It is at this moment, I believe, that the death of the people begins, the death of people and the death of the future. When adults believe that they have outgrown goodness, they have outgrown the world. Therefore, you need to listen to children and do your best to keep the attraction of goodness.

- And what is unity for you?

- It is difficult to find a specific answer to this question. Unity is a generational bond, it's how we look at children. Unity is how we give ourselves not only to our loved ones, but also to our piece of land on which we live. Unity is in aspiration, in dedication. Probably what is sung in the anthem: "Sirtsam addanyya rodnai zyamli". To do something for society, to see yourself as a part of a big deal. To live not for yourself and not for your own pleasure, but in order for other people to live better every day. So that we can pass something on to the next generations.

"Of course, I try to form the most objective opinion about all the events"

- The head of state jokingly calls you "the main oppositionist in the family." I know that you get information from a variety of sources, social networks.

- Yes, I read different sources of information. And, of course, I try to form the most objective opinion about all the events. I have such an opportunity: to say what I see is straightforward. And I will never shut up if I am sure of something. I never tolerate any false admiration and false moods. Of course, I often express my opinion. And that's why I can be called an "oppositionist."

But I cannot be an oppositionist towards the state, towards the head of our state, because I am his absolute copy. Some people say that I am different from my father. But these people either don't know me, or they don't know my father.

When my father was young, he also reacted very vividly to some kind of injustice, some controversial issues that exist in any society, in any state. The only question is how you will react to this: keep silent and do nothing, or fight for people, for justice.

The head of state is economic, tough, he is the President of the country. And I consider him to be an absolutely great man. We see the fruits of his work every day. And I see how they are created directly.

- Yes, because many people have such an understanding: the head of state held a meeting, which was shown in the media, and that's it. But we probably don't see half of his work.

- Very much of the work is not visible. And people often take the result of this work for granted.

- Do you run social networks?

- I don't run social networks. You'd know if I was leading them. But, of course, I read various social networks. It's a part of our lives. It is impossible, for example, not to read Telegram channels.

"I have absolute respect and very great attention to my father's advice."

- Quite recently, during a meeting with students of a linguistic university, Alexander Grigoryevich was asked how he would react to your companion. The media did not show the answer to this question, but everyone is interested. Can you reveal the secret, do you already have a chosen one?

- Globally, the head of state is one person. But if we talk about his role as a father, he is very delicate, very caring, very sensual. Of course, he pays me a lot of attention. This has been the case since the moment I was born. And I think this is his personal feat. Because being such a person, in such difficult years of his work, he devoted an incredible amount of time to me, my upbringing, so that I could be with him, could learn many things. It took him a lot of time and effort.

And I have no doubt that he will treat the issues of my personal life with great attention. Of course, I fully trust him and listen to his opinion. Many teenagers try to reject their parents' opinions. Maybe I had it once, but definitely not now. I have absolute respect and very great attention to my father's advice. Not just because it is necessary and accepted, but because I have seen this through the example of many events: from the most global to the smallest, personal ones. But I will not disclose all the details of my personal life, because each person has their own personal questions. And in my situation, this is probably not something that needs to be emphasized.

"But to stop, exhale, look at the result and turn the page is such a minimal, but very important New Year's tradition"

- The New Year is coming soon - a time of family holidays and traditions. What is important to you at this time? What do you usually do on holidays? And is there something you can't imagine the New Year without?

- We have a very big family, you know. And we strive to get together somehow and spend time together. Absolutely calmly chat over New Year's Eve dinner. Such a simple tradition.

Very well-established traditions - there are a lot of them in the family - require stability. But when you don't know where you're going to be in an hour or two (of course, as a journalist, you understand this perfectly well), it's hard to develop any traditions and stick to them.

Our whole family is involved in what the head of our family, the head of our state, is doing. We're all reaching for him. Some are smaller, some are bigger, but we get into the same lifestyle as him. I dare say that I am almost more so.

You can be anywhere in the country on New Year's Eve and deal with very different issues. And sometimes it doesn't even happen before the New Year. New Year is a very stressful time. I'm sure you do too.

But to stop, exhale, look at the result and turn the page is such a minimal, but very important New Year's tradition. And we stick to it.

- And how would you like to celebrate 2025?

- I want to talk to my loved ones, see more of my family members. It's also very difficult to get everyone together.

- I understand that you don't have much free time at all. But when you get free time, how do you prefer to spend it?

- This is the basic question that everyone is asked: "What is your hobby?" But all my hobbies have turned into some kind of near-professional activity. Or an amateur activity, but with a professional approach. You can say that hockey is my hobby. I'm performing at the Unity Marathon, but there's not a single person here for whom performing here is a hobby. That's why I have to prepare professionally. There are many kinds of activities that could be a hobby, but I have to approach them (and I am happy to approach them) as a professional.

- What is rest for you?

- I really like to read. Even the very process of reading, turning pages. Due to my specialty as a biotechnologist, I have to read technical literature, scientific literature. I read it a lot: these are scientific articles, monographs, collections, all sorts of scientific regulations.

I love popular science literature because you can ask yourself some questions. I don't like it because it rarely has to do with real life and doesn't solve any problems.

I read fiction at least in order to improve my speaking and writing skills. And great works of art can be re-read several times in your life.

 Andrey VOROPAI, BELTA

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