"With a Noble Soul, Yet Incredibly Humble." Famous Belarusians Remember Milinkevich
On the morning of August 11, Aliaksandr Milinkevich, a Belarusian politician and scientist, passed away. Nasha Niva has gathered memories about him. People recall 2006 — for instance, how the 'Milavitsa' brand was concerned their products might be associated with Milinkevich due to a logo.
Anatol Liabedzka knew Milinkevich since the 2006 presidential elections, where Aliaksandr was the sole candidate from the democratic forces. Years of political cooperation followed, and in 2020, Milinkevich again did not stand aside.
"In recent years, we also remained together — supporting Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as the leader of Belarus's democratic forces, for whom millions of Belarusians truly voted.
Aliaksandr was never a 'barricade politician,' although such a format is often in demand in an authoritarian country. He carved out his own niche as an intelligent, experienced, and principled politician, a person with a deep understanding of Belarus and its European future.
And this, perhaps, is the most important thing — what a person leaves behind. Aliaksandr left a lot — ideas, deeds, relationships, memory, and faith in a European Belarus," Liabedzka writes.
Director Mikalai Khalezin reacted to Milinkevich's death concisely but poignantly:
"Sadness again. Aliaksandr Milinkevich has passed away. We were friends with him for over a quarter of a century.
A man whose decency and honesty I never had to doubt once throughout all these years. Nor did I doubt that family and Belarus were the dearest things to him in life. May his memory be bright, my friend."
Aliaksandr Milinkevich with his wife Inna Kulei in March 2006. Photo: LookByMedia
United Civic Party (UCP) activist Uladzimir Shantsev describes Milinkevich's death as a unique loss. In the 2006 elections, Shantsev was his trusted representative.
"For participating in that campaign, I had to serve 15 days in custody. But today, it's not those days I recall. Something else comes to mind — hope.
Back then, it truly seemed that we could change Belarus. That we could overcome fear. That very different people were capable of uniting for one goal — a free, democratic, and European Belarus. Aliaksandr Milinkevich became one of the symbols of that time and that hope," Shantsev recounts.
Franak Viachorka shares an unusual memory from that 2006 campaign. When Milinkevich was nominated as the sole candidate, the first logos for his campaign were developed by artist Michal Anempadystau. He said that Milinkevich was recognizable by his beard, and therefore, there should be a beard on the logo.
It turned out more interesting:
"The beard never appeared on the logo, but thanks to Anempadystau's light touch, a gentle abbreviation "Mi" (from Milinkevich) appeared with a little heart on the "i". And it was so wonderful, and everyone used it for a while.
Until "Milavitsa" sent an official warning, saying that they also use "Mi" in their marketing and did not want their products to be associated with Milinkevich."
Journalist Dzmitry Hurnievich reflects not so much on his meetings with Milinkevich, but rather on the impression he left:
"The archetype of a Belarusian in our romantic national literature — a wise, brave, yet moderate, educated, empathetic, very attentive, hardworking, and energetic person. That is exactly what Aliaksandr Milinkevich was; there was nothing about him that would repel.
A man with a noble soul, yet incredibly humble. His most memorable trait for me will remain an unusual vibe of tranquility. After talking with him, there was always a feeling like after attending a symphony concert or church — no tension, just lightness and peace. May his soul find such peace in eternity. Thank you for everything, Mr. Aliaksandr."
Former head of 'Bysol,' Andrei Stryzhak writes about his experience participating in the 2006 presidential campaign. At that time, Stryzhak had just recovered from a spinal fracture and was beginning to return to activism:
"I remember participating in signature collection, conversations with voters, and going door-to-door.
The 2006 elections ended with the first tent camp and the popular renaming of Kastrychnitskaya Square to Kalinouski Square.
This same name would later be given to a special scholarship program by the Polish government, which would help Belarusian students expelled for political reasons to continue their education in Poland. Milinkevich then did much not only to make people feel the possibility of choice but also not to abandon those who followed him and paid for it with their studies."
Christian activist Siarhei Mielianiec calls Aliaksandr a man he respected and will continue to respect, whose words never diverged from his deeds. Siarhei met Milinkevich twice:
"The first time was in the distant year 2006, when Sveta and I came to listen to him near the "Biarescie" cinema. I immediately liked his speech — clear, intelligent, beautiful. I remember that, despite the cold, he was without a hat. And his wonderful wife was by his side then, and later — always by his side.
The next time we met was already in Poland. He found time to meet with me and write a petition about my family to the Polish authorities. The words on that piece of paper touched my heart. He knew what I was involved in in Belarus and what it had cost my family."