Minsk has chosen a family that will represent the capital at the Republican contest “Family of the Year”

The regional stage of the VII Republican contest “Family of the Year”, aimed at strengthening the institution of the family, popularizing traditional family values, increasing the prestige of parenthood and large families, was held in Minsk. This year, 53 families with three or more children took part in the qualifying rounds of the districts of the capital. 11 participants reached the final of the city stage. At the Minsk Concert venue, they were able to demonstrate their ability to work in a family team.

A holiday that unites everyone here reigned a special atmosphere. From everywhere, cheerful laughter and lively conversations were heard. The participants once again checked whether everything was ready for their performance: mothers adjusted the children’s outfits, dads kissed their children on the top to cheer up before going on stage.

Each family submitted two numbers to the jury. The first is the creative project “Family: formula of happiness”, which reveals the way, traditions and hobbies of the participants. The second is social, associated with the theme of the Year of the Belarusian Woman declared in the country.

Tatiana Astreyko. During the welcoming speech, First Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Tatiana Astreyko drew attention to the fact that all holidays held in the country are bright, beautiful and colorful. But this particular contest, she said, is special:

- It reflects the soul and fate of each individual. This holiday is a tribute of gratitude and honor to 117,000 large Belarusian families. It is a gratitude for their responsibility and dedication, for daily work on the relationship.

She drew attention to the fact that large families in our country have been elevated to the rank of national values.

- Every day, government support is reinforced. This is a system of benefits, and support in finding their own housing, and labor guarantees. As well as a lot of other bonuses and preferences that the state presents to families as a token of gratitude, added Tatiana Astreyko.

Chairman of the Minsk City Council of Deputies Artem Tsuran noted that this event is difficult to call a competition.

- You are the best and are already the winners. You were able to demonstrate once again how friendly and united you are. “Family of the Year is a holiday that unites us all,” he said.

Deputy Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Andrei Strigelsky shared that interest in the event is increasing every year.

- This competition is primarily aimed at giving families the opportunity to creatively express themselves on the stage, to present their experience and approaches that they apply in the upbringing of children. One of the participants, the Koptelov family, defended the honor of the Factory District. It consists of father Sergey, mother Natalia, eldest daughter Anna and weather sons Roman and Dmitry.

According to Natalia Koptelova, it was thanks to their children that she and her husband became what they are:

- First of all, they taught us to manage everything and find inner strength and reserve opportunities. After all, when you have three guys, it seems that time is not so much and in 24 hours you need to fit everything: work, life, and their upbringing.

The whole family is dressed in beautiful Belarusian national costumes. It turned out that the young generation of Koptelovs is studying in the Belarusian-language gymnasium, and is also engaged in singing in the circle of folk art. This fascination is a friendly team and demonstrated in his speech.

Speaking about the occupation, for which the whole family is happy to unite, Natalia shared that they are all restoring the country house together: We are really very attached to our native land, we love our Belarusian nature with all our hearts. Therefore, for our family, it is better to relax than to do something with your own hands in the fresh air, you just can not think of it. She admits that the main purpose of participation in the competition is to show how great it is to live with your friendly family in your native land:

- Sometimes it seems that there really is no more to happiness.

The Khadorkin family – mother Olga, father Denis and triplets Aliana, Angelina and Anastasia – also represented the Factory District. As Olga admits, they do everything together. Therefore, when they were offered to participate in the competition, they did not think for a long time:

- The main thing is the team spirit, which is highly developed in our family. We have been preparing for a long time to represent our district on the stage. To be honest, a lot of effort, energy and resources were expended. But there is no doubt that the result was worth it.

She also noted that although today’s event has the status of a competition, there is no competition at all.

- All the participants came together to show how important a large and strong family is. And the more such families will be in our native and beloved Belarus, the more active our country will be, said Olga Khadorkina.

According to the results of the competition, the first degree diploma was won by the Belsky family, representing the Moscow district of Minsk. The second place went to the Khadorkin family, the third to the Koptelov family. After the award, we were able to communicate with the winners. The Belsky family consists of six people - mother Marina, father Dmitry, daughters Catherine, Anastasia, Olga and younger son Mikhail.

The couple have been together for 21 years and recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary. Marina said that they met at a ball in Minsk Suvorov military school.

- We haven't been apart since. Raising four beautiful children. Elder Ekaterina is 14 years old, she is very active, actively participates in the public life of the school and the Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization. The average, 12-year-old Anastasia, from the age of four is engaged in vocals and often became a laureate of national and international competitions. The younger Olga we in the family affectionately call sports grace: before she was engaged in rhythmic gymnastics, now she is fond of sports acrobatics. The youngest in the family is three-year-old Misha. He is a mischievous, athletic boy, but sometimes he can defraud a little, Marina Belskaya introduces her household members.

The family likes to travel together in Belarus, admire the beauty of their native country:

- We have another wonderful tradition - to bake a birthday cake for each family member for his birthday. We have a large family: my brother has five children, my husband’s sister has three. And when we all get together, the house is always noisy, cheerful and warm in a special way.

She admits that after hearing that their family won, she experienced a whole range of emotions. But in fact, the victory was not an accident, but a natural result of laborious work that lasted more than one month.

- I still don’t seem to realize that we won. But we are waiting for the final of the competition, where we will defend the honor of our city. By the way, the family from Minsk has never won the final in the history of the competition. Who knows, maybe we will be the first? – smiles the mother.

In conclusion, we ask: what is the formula of happiness of the Belsky family?

- Appreciate each moment together and inspire each other for the best, and support one in all endeavors. Our family is quite active, and sometimes just to get together for a walk or have tea and talk heart to heart is not so easy. But from this, such moments only become more expensive, sums up Marina Belskaya.

kurdo@sb.by