For Belarusians around the world, March 25 is not just a date, but a symbol of defiance and the desire for freedom. On this day, in 1918, the independence of the Belarusian People’s Republic (BPR), the first nation-state of Belarusians, was proclaimed. This event became the starting point in the history of the Belarusian people’s struggle for self-determination. Today, the democratic part of the Belarusian nation celebrates the Day of Freedom.
During the Soviet era, the Day of Freedom was banned and celebrated in secret, among like-minded people. After the collapse of the USSR, it seemed that the dream of an independent Belarus had become a reality, and Freedom Day briefly became a public holiday. However, with Lukashenka’s rise to power, the holiday has come under pressure again. The regime is trying to erase this date from the memory of Belarusians by banning national symbols, dispersing peaceful rallies, and persecuting activists.
Freedom Day is not just an anniversary, it is a memory of the first steps towards independence, of the dream of a free and democratic Belarus. On this day, Belarusians honor the memory of their ancestors who fought for the right to their own state and national identity. The symbols of this struggle are the white-red-white flag, the Pogonya coat of arms, and the Belarusian language.
Despite the repressions, Belarusians continue to celebrate Freedom Day, demonstrating their steadfastness and commitment to the ideals of freedom. The celebrations are especially active abroad, where the Belarusian diaspora unites to show the world that the Belarusian people have not put up with the dictatorship. Most Belarusians celebrate this day in Poland, where there is a large Belarusian diaspora.
In 2024, Lukashenka’s regime went even further, threatening to prosecute even those who participate in rallies abroad. This demonstrates the regime’s fear of the unity of Belarusians and their desire for change.
It is significant that Lukashenka’s regime decided to desecrate this national holiday by holding the “inauguration” of the bullpenführer on Freedom Day, which was a cynical challenge to the Belarusian people. The large-scale ceremony, which contrasted with the secret “inauguration” of 2020, was intended to demonstrate the regime’s strength and legitimacy. However, it only emphasized the gap between the government and the people.
Freedom Day is not just a holiday, it is a symbol of the Belarusian people’s struggle for their future. It is a day when Belarusians all over the world unite to declare their desire for freedom, democracy and European values.
And this is an important day for all the countries between the seas, and for Ukraine in particular. After all, the Ukrainian theorist of the Baltic-Black Sea Union Yuriy Lypa noted that Belarus is a kind of “helmet” that protects the “head” – the capital of Ukraine, so it should be free and friendly. Today, Belarus is the core of the Intermarium, and its liberation from Russian influence could be the impetus for a strong and robust security alliance between the Baltic and Black Seas.
Author: Valeriy Maydanyuk
