March 28, Pozirk. Independence is the most precious thing any nation possesses, and Belarusians made great sacrifices to achieve it, opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja said in her address during a reception in Warsaw, marking the 108th anniversary of Belarusian independence.
Although the first Belarusian state that declared its independence in 1918 was short-lived, it established a tradition of statehood that paved the way for the existence of modern-day Belarus, she noted.
“Unfortunately, more than a century later, our independence is once again under threat, and once again Belarusians are forced to fight for it,” the politician said. “It seems like so much time has passed, yet the enemy remains the same. But we have learned our lesson, and we will not surrender our independence to anyone.”
Cichanoŭskaja described Freedom Day, celebrated on March 25, as a holiday uniting all Belarusians. “Protests are impossible in Belarus today, but I know that Belarusians inside the country are also celebrating Freedom Day. Some do it quietly with their families, others with friends. Today, even speaking Belarusian has become a form of protest,” the opposition leader noted.
Freedom Day marked the 108th anniversary of the Belarusian independence proclamation in 1918. The current Belarusian government does not recognize Freedom Day as an official holiday. After the 2020 presidential election, any attempts to publicly celebrate anniversaries led to arrests, trials and jail terms.
The state-run propaganda has been vocal in demonizing historical events related to the proclamation of independence in 1918, banning all symbols linked to the first Belarusian state.
Belarusians living in Lithuania, Poland, the United States and other countries mark Freedom Day with rallies, demonstrations, flower-laying ceremonies, concerts, parties and other events. Belarus’ Investigative Committee has warned that “extremist groups” use the date for “discrediting Belarus in the international arena,” and that Belarusians taking part in their events will face criminal prosecution and property confiscation in their home country.
Freedom Day events took place in Vilnius on March 25, with another rally announced for March 28 in Warsaw.
