The FINANCIAL -- MINSK, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko congratulated the country on the 82nd anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution on November 7.

"Belarus respects this momentous date," the president said.

The former Soviet republic continues to mark the anniversary of the 1917 Revolution that brought Vladimir Lenin to power and established over seven decades of communist rule in Russia and the Soviet Union.

While November 7 is no longer a national holiday in Russia, having been replaced by the November 4 People's Unity Day in 2005, Belarus continues to mark the event with a public holiday when it falls on a working day.

Belarus has maintained many of the symbols and attributes of the former U.S.S.R., including the KGB security services and the Red Star on its national emblem.

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