March 7, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has called for solidarity with Belarus on March 25, the 107th anniversary of the declaration of independence by the Belarusian National Republic (BNR).
“Join us in marking International Day of Solidarity with Belarus on March 25,” she said on X yesterday. “This day marks the 1918 proclamation of Belarus’ independence from Russia. Under 30 years of [Alaksandar] Łukašenka’s dictatorship, March 25 has become a symbol of resistance against oppression and tyranny.”
The politician encouraged displays of solidarity with Belarusians on social media and participation in Belarus-themed events and rallies abroad.
MPs from democratic countries could become symbolic godparents for Belarusians jailed in politically-motivated cases, she noted, asking for more letters of support to prisoners and donations to Belarusian journalists as well as volunteers who fight Russia in Ukraine.
Freedom Day marks the proclamation of independence by the BNR on March 25, 1918. The Belarusian territory was taken by the Bolsheviks in December 1918.
The current Belarusian government does not recognize it as an official holiday, despite allowing large-scale celebrations on its 100th anniversary in 2018.
Belarusian officials played down the importance of the short-lived independence, describing the BNR as a “puppet” entity established under the German protectorate in the final stages of the First World War.
After 2020 presidential election, any attempts to publicly celebrate anniversaries led to arrests, trials and jail terms.
State-run propaganda has been vocal in demonizing historical events related to the proclamation of BNR independence, while the government has banned BNR symbols.
