Cichanoŭskaja slams autocracy in New Year’s speech

January 1, BPN. In a New Year’s address to her supporters, published on YouTube and also broadcast by Belsat on the evening of December 31, Belarusian democratic leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja criticized autocracy.

“We have this trait, self-doubt. Sometimes we wish someone stronger, more experienced and fearless would come and help us solve all our problems. A strong hand would show us the way,” she said. “But someone stronger, more experienced and fearless is you and me. The nation doesn’t need a strong hand. We need trust, mutual respect and solidarity.”

Cichanoŭskaja urged Belarusians to stop thinking of themselves as “small people.” “We are going down such a difficult road, and no-one has the right to devalue this. We are not small people. If we believe in each other and in ourselves, we are a nation,” she said.