"My word of the year is hope." Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Belarusians together with Kalesnikava, Sevianarynets, and Latushka

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: Dear Belarusians,

In childhood, for New Year's, we often played a game: what I would take into the new year, and what I would leave in the past. We wrote it down on paper — sometimes funny, sometimes serious.

The bad things — we tore into pieces or put them in an envelope. And it seemed to us: in the new year everything would be better and simpler, and all problems would remain in the past. Now we know: each year is different. There is always good in it — but with it come new challenges.

In the past year, I would leave behind empty arguments, disagreements, grudges that divide us.

Lies from TV screens, immoral military propaganda, jingoistic patriotism, and the endless search for enemies. Arrests, dismissals, absurd government bans, and "lawmaking" — which has nothing in common with law. All that injustice that every Belarusian feels.

The regime does all this to hold on. Today's government is incapable of giving anything to people; it only takes.

And of course, like many Belarusians, I would like to leave the blue fingers of one old man in the past, but it seems they are still clinging on and coming with us into the new year.

And into twenty-six, I will take those important matters that we need to continue. What our human rights defenders do, supporting those in trouble. Journalists who convey the truth. Cultural figures who preserve our language, memory, national identity. Teachers who teach children to think. Doctors who save lives. Entrepreneurs who find solutions and offer prospects. Workers who create our well-being. People of the land who feed the country. All of you are needed by Belarus.

In childhood, for New Year's, we waited for miracles. Now I don't wait for them. I know that miracles don't fall from the sky. They are created by people, by you and me. Problems also don't disappear on their own. They need to be solved. Both in personal life. And at the level of the whole country.

And we also guessed a word that should become the main one in the new year. My word of the year is hope.

Someone still comforts themselves: "At least we don't have war." But drones continue to fly in our sky. Military factories are being built, shells for the aggressor country. "Areshnik" and nuclear weapons are being deployed — turning Belarus into a military target. The authorities are increasingly pushing the country into isolation and provoking neighbors to close borders.

Behind the aggressive actions of the regime — the world does not see the most valuable thing in Belarus. And that is — people. Peace-loving, talented, brave. Who are against war, do not accept violence, and simply want to live a normal life.

So my word of the year is hope, hope that the war will end — this unjust, destructive war. The shelling will stop. Families will reunite. Peace will return to Ukraine, and Belarus will finally cease to be a hostage of tyrants. And you and I need to be prepared for this. We don't need bosses or "older brothers" who know best. Belarusians themselves are capable of figuring things out and building a country for life.

We sat down at the table, and each named a few things they would like to thank the past year for, even if it was difficult. I — thank all Belarusians who did not betray principles, values, convictions. I know there are those among you who can proudly say: I did not betray myself, because I stayed in Belarus no matter what. I did not betray myself, because I refused to be silent, although it cost me my home. We did not betray ourselves, because we continue to do our work. And we do what we can.

And then we wished each other well. My wish for you, my dear Belarusians, is this: while dictators build walls, let's build bridges. Not divide into ours and strangers, into those who left or stayed. Not to look for blame in each other. But to look for what unites and strengthens our people. Unity gave us strength back in twenty-twenty. But it is especially important to unite now, when the regime's main task has become to divide us.

We set the table, served Olivier salad, while the children pulled apart mandarins. And waited for guests. And today, finally, at our festive table, we can welcome those who have not been with us for five years. This is the miracle that we achieved together with you and our allies.

Maria Kalesnikava:

Not all our plans come true. Recently, I received 80 rubles of my salary, went to the prison store and bought condensed milk to make a festive New Year's cake. The girls and I were going to set the table, drink tea, talk. I would think about my family and know that they remember me at that moment. Like every previous New Year in prison.

Now, as you watch this video, I am hugging my sister and dad, the condensed milk remained in the colony, and I know that if everything happens not as we planned, it can happen even better. Everything has changed, and now we are ready for anything to happen in this world. But it is important to remember that anything can also be something good.

I haven't been here for five years. I am curiously learning about the new world. I came out and learned that a lot of bad, a lot of strange, terrible things happened. I came out and I did not see a single person who was having an easy time. I did not hear anyone say that these five years went smoothly. But I did not see broken people, people who forgot about solidarity or love. I saw how much Belarusians have achieved in their ideas, in culture, thought, the global world, in the country, beyond its borders.

Unfortunately, many of us have forgotten how important smiles to each other are right now, the eyes of loved ones, warmth, kindness, a good word. But we will remember, because we are not disappointed, we have simply grown up.

I lost a lot in these five years. A lot, but not hope. I continue to hope in the main values of this world — goodness and empathy, they have become even more needed now. And we have them. And we have ourselves.

Pavel Seviarynets:

You helped political prisoners, their families. Sent flowers to wives and mothers who needed support in a difficult moment. Gave money at every opportunity. Helped raise innocent children deprived of parental presence. The fact that people survived, did not break — became possible thanks to you — your faith and your solidarity. When you understand that you are remembered, that people pray for you — it gives strength to hold on. For the first time in five years, I was able to hug my wife Volia and son Frantsishak, who was two when I was imprisoned.

We must fight for every man and woman who remains in prisons. So that the repressions end. So that Mikalai Statkevich can hug his wife, and every freed person can choose where to live. So that the very concept of "political prisoner" disappears.

I was also deeply touched by how Belarusians support the Ukrainian people. Some — by service, some by volunteering. Some — on the front, and some — with a ruble. The fates of Belarus and Ukraine are inextricably linked. If Ukraine is strong and free, it will open the way for an independent, European Belarus.

Pavel Latushka: And here I want to address state employees in Belarus. Every year Lukashenka and his propagandists repeat that we are about to give up. But we continue to work for the future of every Belarusian, for a better future for the country. You see that the system has reached a dead end. You face decisions every day that are made not in the interests of the people, but for the sake of one person. But you and I want one thing: respect, freedom, and security. We all dream of a better life.

On the eve of the New Year, think about what legacy you want to leave behind. The legacy of a person who simply clings to a chair, or a person who helped return a future to his country. It depends on us what kind of country we live in. You are needed by Belarus.

We, the democratic forces, propose to start a dialogue for exiting the crisis, for independence and freedom. A dialogue for development instead of stagnation. A dialogue for a better future that Belarusians deserve. That our Homeland deserves.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: Yes, we — Belarusians — are all different. We have different destinies, different views and paths. And it is precisely in this diversity — our strength.

But there is something that unites us all. A free, peaceful, prosperous Belarus, which we dream of and for which we fight.

And today we want to thank you all. For standing firm. For not giving up. For continuing to believe and move towards our goal.

As the clock struck, we made wishes and lit sparklers. Only moments remain until the new, 2026 year. Dedicate them to yourselves. Ask yourselves: "What do I want?"

Close your eyes. Make a wish. Hug your loved ones — those nearby. And remember those who are not with us today.

Remember: the miracles we await do not happen by chance. We create them ourselves. Together.

Happy New Year, dear Belarusians.

Long live Belarus!

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