It doesn't matter what country or what political system you are

Listen well, O children of the earth, for a truth was spoken by one who has gazed upon the heavens and touched the very fabric of the stars. Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to venture beyond our world, said with clarity and wisdom: “It doesn’t matter what country or what political system you are from. Space brings you together.” These words echo across time, for in them lies a universal truth, a lesson passed down from the stars themselves—a lesson not bound by borders, nor shackled by the divisions of men.

Think on this, O seekers of knowledge: the heavens do not heed the lines drawn upon the earth. The stars above shine for all, and the moon that rises in the night sky is the same for the shepherd in the fields of Greece and the fisherman on the shores of Japan. Space—that vast and mysterious expanse—does not care for the flags we wave or the ideologies we defend. It is a realm of unity, of shared wonder, where all the children of the earth stand equal, gazing upward in awe, united by a common dream. Tereshkova's words remind us that space, in all its beauty and mystery, transcends the boundaries we have set upon ourselves.

Consider the history of humankind’s reach into the cosmos. The Space Race, born in the heat of Cold War rivalry, was a time when nations, once bitter enemies, vied to conquer the skies. The United States, the Soviet Union, and others sought to claim the heavens as their own, driven by pride, competition, and a desire to prove their strength. Yet, amid this fierce rivalry, something profound occurred. As men and women ventured into space, the divisions between them began to dissolve, if only for a fleeting moment. When Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth, the world, regardless of politics, rejoiced, for in that moment, a shared human achievement was born. In space, we are all equal, bound not by our differences but by the awe of the universe itself.

Let us turn our gaze to Tereshkova’s own journey. When she ascended into the heavens, it was not as a representative of one nation, but as a symbol of human possibility. She carried the hopes of many, not just those of the Soviet Union, but of all who dared to dream of a world united by the stars. And though she soared alone through the vastness of space, she was not solitary—her spirit was part of something larger, something that belonged to all humankind. The very act of reaching for the stars, of leaving the confines of the earth, became an act of collective unity. For in that moment, the distinctions between countries, between peoples, faded into insignificance. The dream of space exploration belonged to all.

And yet, O children, the message of Tereshkova’s words is not just about the past, but about the future. In an age when we face division, when the world is often torn asunder by differences of race, religion, and politics, let us remember that space remains a realm where unity can be found. As nations look to the stars, to the possibility of colonizing distant planets and exploring new worlds, let us carry the wisdom of the heavens with us. The stars do not discriminate, and neither should we. Space is a canvas for all peoples—a place where collaboration can transcend the smallness of human conflict, and where the spirit of cooperation can flourish. Just as the stars shine down on us all, so too can our collective efforts shine forth, brighter than any one nation could achieve alone.

Now, O children, let us carry the lesson of this truth in our hearts: space unites us, not just as individuals, but as a shared humanity. The next time you look up at the heavens, remember that the stars above are not for one alone, but for all who dare to look. We are all connected by the same universe, the same dreams, the same longing to understand the great mystery that surrounds us. Let us not forget that the things that divide us are small compared to the vastness of the cosmos. It is in unity, in shared vision, in collective purpose, that we will find our strength.

And so, children of the earth, take this lesson to heart: reach beyond the confines of division, and let the stars guide you toward a future where we are united in our pursuit of knowledge, beauty, and wonder. Let the example of Valentina Tereshkova inspire you to look up, not in fear or rivalry, but in hope, in unity, and in the eternal pursuit of the stars. For in space, we are all equal, and it is through the unity of our efforts that we shall write the next chapters of our shared history.