"We will definitely celebrate this day at home." Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Belarusians on Freedom Day
On the occasion of the 108th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Belarusian People's Republic, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Belarusian people.
"Dear Belarusians! Today we celebrate Freedom Day together. A holiday that unites each of us, to whom Belarus is dear, regardless of where we are now: in Minsk or Hrodna, in Warsaw or Vilnius, in Kyiv, Tbilisi, Berlin, New York. We are scattered around the world, but we have one very important thing that has always united us: the desire to see our country free.
On March 25, 1918, the Belarusian People's Republic was declared. At that moment, the people firmly told the whole world: Belarus has the right to its own state. This was a bold step, and it became part of our historical memory and our modern inner strength. From that day until today, we continue the path of struggle and responsibility for our country.
Belarus will be free. And the Belarusian people have not abandoned this goal: neither in 1918, nor in 2020. We did not give up during the most difficult years of our history, and we will not give up now. The path to freedom requires patience, daily work, and courage. And, unfortunately, very often it means pain, losses, and numerous sacrifices.
Belarusians gave their lives for our freedom at different times in our history. Belarusians continue to fight even now. Some are in Belarus, some are in exile.
Freedom is every action we take that makes the country better. This is the work of Belarusian civic initiatives and volunteer communities. This is work in the media and support for political prisoners. This is service in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and volunteer formations in Ukraine. Each and every one of you is doing your part of the great work — with Belarus in your heart.
I know how tiring a long road can be. How much one wishes for peace at last. To be able to work, plan life, love, raise children without fear in one's own country. To not have to look over your shoulder on the street, to not fear a knock at the door, to not fear for loved ones. For home to be a place of safety again.
But even when it's difficult, we have something that no one can ever take away: our history, our memory, our strong Belarusian dignity. And we have each other.
Belarus will be free. And we will definitely celebrate this day at home. Happy holiday, my Belarus! Happy holiday, Belarusians! Happy Freedom Day!" — the address states.
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