Tikhonovskaya's and Nawrocki's Teams Put an End to the Kościuszko Dispute

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's team discussed with representatives of Polish President Karol Nawrocki the recent public dispute surrounding Tadeusz Kościuszko. They concluded that his legacy should unite the peoples of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The possibility of holding a joint event involving Tsikhanouskaya and Nawrocki is now being considered.

How One Post Turned Into a Historical Dispute

A new discussion on 'whose Kościuszko' began on October 15 — the anniversary of the death of the leader of the 1794 uprising.

"Tadeusz Kościuszko's struggle for freedom knew no bounds. Born on the territory of modern Belarus, he helped America gain independence, and later rose against Russian and Prussian domination in our region," Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wrote on the social network X.

The next day, Polish MEP from "Law and Justice", Arkadiusz Mularczyk, reacted to the post. He criticized Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for not mentioning Poland in her message.

"Tadeusz Kościuszko was a Polish national hero and a general of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of Two Nations. He was born in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, on the territory of modern Belarus, fought for America's independence, and led the Polish uprising of 1794 against Russia and Prussia. We can share his legacy, but we must not erase Poland from his history," Mularczyk stated.

In response, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya clarified her position: she called Kościuszko a great Polish national hero who simultaneously holds great significance for Belarusians, and noted that Belarusians and Poles can honor him together.

Nawrocki's Team Saw No Conflict

According to Dzianis Kuchynski, diplomatic advisor to the Belarusian democratic leader, the incident was discussed during meetings with representatives of the Polish president.

"Here we have complete understanding with the Polish side. Communication errors sometimes happen; no one is immune to that. But the main thing is that we openly discussed everything and made sure: our positions fully coincide," says Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's advisor.

The Belarusian team emphasizes that they do not dispute Kościuszko's place in Polish national history:

"Kościuszko is a national hero of Poland, whose legacy and heroism are also honored by Belarusians, Lithuanians, and Americans. He was born on the territory of modern Belarus, was one of the most prominent figures of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and became a symbol of the struggle for freedom far beyond its borders."

Tadeusz Kościuszko was born in 1746 in Merechevschina near Kossovo — today it is the Ivatsevichy District of Brest Region. At that time, these lands were part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. He fought in the American War of Independence, and in 1794 led an uprising against the Russian Empire and Prussia.

Therefore, attempts to exclusively ascribe an 18th-century figure to one modern national tradition inevitably lead to disputes.

A similar dispute between Belarus and Poland arose in 2017 over the inscription on Kościuszko's monument in Solothurn, Switzerland. At that time, the Polish side also insisted on denoting his Polish affiliation, while simultaneously welcoming that Belarusians honor Kościuszko as a hero close to them.

Павялічыць

Tsikhanouskaya and Nawrocki Can Honor Kościuszko Together

Now, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's and Karol Nawrocki's teams are going to look for a format for joint events dedicated to Kościuszko. One of them could take place at a high level — with the participation of Tsikhanouskaya and Nawrocki themselves.

"This could become a beautiful and strong symbol that our shared history does not divide us, but unites us. Especially today, when we are again confronting Russian imperialism, it is important to jointly remember the heroes who fought 'for our freedom and yours'. It is very important for us that the Polish side is open to honoring and popularizing this shared historical heritage together with us," believes Dzianis Kuchynski.

He notes that Karol Nawrocki and his team respectfully treat the shared historical heritage of Belarusians and Poles.

As one example, Dzianis Kuchynski mentions Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's participation in the Polish "National Reading" on September 5. This year, Adam Mickiewicz's "Dziady" (Forefathers' Eve) was chosen for the event. The main Warsaw event took place by the poet's monument with the participation of President Karol Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka. Famous Polish actors and musicians, as well as Belarusian artists Bazhena Shamovich and Aliaksei Saprykin, joined the reading.

"For us, this is not just a beautiful cultural gesture, but evidence that shared literary and historical heritage can be a living part of modern Belarusian-Polish relations," says Dzianis Kuchynski.

Piasecki, Football, and a Reception at Belvedere

The Warsaw meetings were not only about Tadeusz Kościuszko. The parties discussed the works of Siarhei Piasecki — a writer whose life was connected with Belarus and whom, according to Kuchynski, Karol Nawrocki particularly loves.

A significant part of Piasecki's books has already been published in Belarusian. Now the parties want to explore the possibility of translating the remaining works. Incidentally, during the January meeting at Belvedere, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented the Polish president with several Belarusian editions of Piasecki's works.

The Melkaziorau Cup in support of Belarusian political prisoners was also discussed. This year, representatives of the presidential team could not attend the tournament: it coincided with August 1 — the anniversary of the start of the Warsaw Uprising. However, according to Kuchynski, the Polish side expressed readiness to participate in future Belarusian cultural and sports projects.

Another agreement concerns the traditional festive reception for Belarusians at the presidential residence, Belvedere. It began under Andrzej Duda, and Karol Nawrocki continued the tradition: in January 2026, he already hosted Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, representatives of the Belarusian community, and released political prisoners there.

Dzianis Kuchynski says that the presidential team confirmed: the reception will also take place for the current Christmas.

"This is more than just a festive meeting. It is a political and human signal: Belarusians are supported in Poland, and the Belarusian community is important for the country. Especially today, when Belarusians continue to face repression in their homeland, it is very important to feel that in neighboring Poland they remain welcome guests, good neighbors, and part of society," he notes.

Павялічыць

According to Tsikhanouskaya's advisor, democratic forces want Belarusian-Polish relations not to be limited solely to discussing repression and another crisis.

"We have a great shared history, culture, and, most importantly, a shared future. It is through such initiatives that we can bring this future closer," Dzianis Kuchynski concludes.

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