{"id":145514,"date":"2025-07-06T16:47:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T13:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/145514\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"belarusians-proud-of-common-heritage-with-lithuania-grateful-for-support-cichanouskaja","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/145514\/","title":{"rendered":"Belarusians proud of common heritage with Lithuania, grateful for support \u2013 Cichano\u016dskaja"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

July 6, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja has greeted Lithuania on Statehood Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday marks the coronation of Mindaugas, the first Grand Duke of Lithuania,\u201d Cichano\u016dskaja tweeted. \u201cBelarusians are proud to share this legacy and deeply grateful for Lithuania\u2019s friendship and support in our fight for freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Lithuania celebrates the coronation of medieval warrior Mindaugas as its King in 1253.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Belarusian legends, he was crowned or buried in Navahrudak\u2014one of the city\u2019s hillocks is still called Mindaugas\u2019 Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuania has become a safe harbor for thousands of Belarusians fleeing reprisals after the disputed presidential election of 2020. Vilnius hosts the Office of \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusians are the second largest ethnic group among Lithuanian residency holders, surpassed only by Ukrainians. However, according to the Migration Department, the number of such Belarusians has been in decline after a surge in 2023. It rose from 48,804 people on January 1, 2023, to 62,167 people on January 1, 2024\u2014only to drop to 57,511 people a year later. It further decreased to 53,284 people on May 1 and 52,287 people on July 1, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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