Pavel Sevyarynets: My dream is that Paznyak, Tsikhanouskaya, Kalesnikava, Latushka work together for Belarus

Pavel Sevyarynets

The Story of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is a Story of Light

Pavel Sevyarynets admits that before 2020 he was not personally acquainted with Sviatlana, but her decision to run in the elections instead of her imprisoned husband became an indicator of her inner strength for him.

“Just this one step shows that the person has strength in their soul. The ability to take such a step speaks volumes. And Sviatlana has grown a lot during this time: the way she now speaks Belarusian, the way she thinks Belarus-centrically – it's very impressive. I can say that Belarusians elected her, and there have been no re-elections since then.”

Paznyak – an Absolute of National Egoism

Reflecting on the role of Zianon Paznyak, Sevyarynets calls him a historical figure without whom modern Belarus is impossible to imagine. In his opinion, if Paznyak were something harmful to Belarus, then we wouldn't be hearing about him now, "Belarusians would have forgotten him a couple of generations ago."

“There is a lot that is offensive, there are many people who are directly accused, who have simply lost trust from Paznyak. But these are the costs of the role Paznyak took upon himself.

And this role is such: in my opinion, Zianon Paznyak is an absolute of national interests. And if you wish – of national egoism in politics.”

In Sevyarynets' view, every state has people similar to Zianon Paznyak:

“At the foundation of any state are people who, by any means, by any method, will defend the national interest. In many ways, the state structures of those states that we respect – free, developed, and rich – are based on such national egoism as state policy.”

Sevyarynets emphasizes Paznyak's role in defending national interests. He recalls that at one time, the politician's warnings about a possible war with Russia were met with skepticism by many, but today's realities have confirmed his point.

“Paznyak prophesied a lot, and these prophecies came true. Paznyak said a lot of offensive and unpleasant things, which everyone later agreed with. (...) Paznyak spoke many times about a war with Russia. They laughed, (...) ‘what war with Russia in our time?’ But now a full-scale war with Russia is underway. Zianon spoke about it every time, and they replied that he was a fanatic, that it was unpopular, Belarusians wouldn't accept it, it should have been done this way first, and then that way.”

According to Pavel, Paznyak's role is to be a strategic pole:

“Zianon is a pole. It's cold at the pole, people don't live there, but it's a pole. And you need to look to Zianon, like you look at the dimensions of a car. If you don't want to hit a wall, you also look at what Zianon says.”

Sevyarynets recalled how Paznyak criticized him in 2004 for participating in a referendum. At that time, Pavel went with a poster "I vote NO," trying to work with people, but now he admits: it was a mistake and participation in someone else's game, which Paznyak warned about in advance. Now, according to Pavel, he understands that Zianon was right.

“Zianon is not about tactics, maneuvers, not even about the best path in politics. Zianon is about strategy in politics. You can listen to him and decide how best to act at this moment. (...) I would even say that he does not stand in the ranks of just some people or actors of Belarusian politics.

Zianon is from a different category. He is a national prophet, an absolute that you need to look to if you want to understand what Belarus needs. Paznyak feels this very acutely.

The methods he uses... yes, I agree, I wouldn't do it that way. But I cannot condemn him, because I am not Paznyak. He started fighting for Belarus when I was still a toddler. And Zianon still remains... This is a phenomenon,” Sevyarynets argues and shares his dream:

“My dream is that Zianon, Sviatlana [Tsikhanouskaya], Masha Kalesnikava, Pavel Latushka – that they all work together for Belarus. That everyone, each in their place, coordinates and achieves Belarusian success in Belarusian history.”

Mikalai Statkevich – a "Karotkevich-like Hero"

The act of Mikalai Statkevich, who refused exile abroad and literally forced open the bus door to stay in the country, Sevyarynets calls embodied courage:

“This is courage, this is bravery. Something that Belarusians appreciate. I know that very many see this as an act of courage, which serves as an example or a guide for others.”

Sevyarynets notes that someone might regard such an act as imprudent, as it could have slowed down the process of releasing political prisoners, but, according to him, one must look from another perspective:

“One must look from the perspective of personal courage. From the perspective that Mikalai many times defended the honor of Belarusians as a brave and courageous nation. He shows that Belarusians are capable – just as Masha Kalesnikava was capable – of tearing up her passport and returning to prison in Belarus.”

Sevyarynets points out that such courage and bravery have been present in Belarusians for a long time; Uladzimir Karatkevich wrote about such people:

“We, Belarusians, have this deeply embedded. What was in the golden age, in the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL), when Belarus was strong – this is in Belarusians, it remained. Karatkevich often brings this out. He talks a lot about the personal courage and dignity of Belarusians. Mikalai Statkevich is such a Karotkevich-like hero.”

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