Dear Belarusians,
Participants of the conference,
Dear Excellencies, and all international friends,
Solidarity and empathy. Courage and discipline. Self-organization and creativity. These are the words I would use to describe 2020.
Five years ago, Belarus changed. Once and for all. I wouldn’t say we became different people, but we awakened qualities in ourselves we hadn’t noticed before.
Indeed, we saw how many of us there were, how diverse we were, and how remarkable we were. Remember Masha [Maryia Kalesnikava], remember Nina Bahinskaya, the DJs of change, the women with flowers, and the pensioners’ marches. Remember the brave courtyard marches and the giant 50-meter flags on high-rise buildings.
The Kupala Theater actors defending their stage. TV journalists walking out together and joining the protest. And that Ceausescu-style moment when factory workers booed Lukashenka. And the bewildered faces of the security forces, not knowing how to react.
That year, for me personally, was a storm of emotions. From confusion and fear – through the terror and the authorities’ reaction – to an incredible inspiration, joy, and pride in our wonderful people.
I take pride in each of you. We have walked these five years together, and we continue forward.
Today we mark five years since the start of our peaceful revolution. And this revolution is not over yet. As long as we stand together and continue the struggle, we have not lost.
I don’t understand those who suggest we turn away from 2020, “turn over the page”… That was the year when we, Belarusians, felt as a nation. And that strength, that energy, those emotions are driving us forward today.
Yes, it’s no longer 2020. It’s 2025 now. A different year. A different time. But are we different? Have we abandoned our goals? Our principles and values? I think not.
The context of our struggle has changed. There is war and terror. Belarus is wounded, isolated, taken hostage by Russia.
And this new reality forces us to think differently. And act differently. Because no one will bring change to Belarus for us.
Of course, not everything now depends on us. Much depends on Ukraine and its ability to resist. And our task, our duty, is to do everything now to support Ukraine.
A possible truce on Ukraine, discussed in the coming weeks, may open a window of opportunity for Belarus as well. And we must be ready for it.
That is why we are here today.
Of course, we should also reflect, discuss mistakes, and what has been done or left undone over these five years. We can even look for those responsible. Or indulge in nostalgia…
But above all – let’s focus today on what to do next. A new time requires new forms of struggle. New ideas.
How do we achieve the release of political prisoners? How do we get Belarus out of the war and preserve its independence? How do we strengthen our movement, our agency, our community in the world? How do we support those who continue the struggle inside the country? How do we weaken the regime and bring it to justice?
And perhaps most importantly, how do we preserve and revive that energy, the energy of 2020?
Let each and every one of us ask ourselves today: What am I doing for the New Belarus? Can I do it better? And what can we do together?
Dear friends,
We have not yet won, but neither have we lost. And the attention to our conference – from Lukashenka’s special services to Russian propagandists – once again proves how much we stand in their way.
The regime is wrong if it thinks it can intimidate us into capitulation. That will not happen! We will continue our work until we achieve our goals.
Look how many of us there are today. How diverse we are. I am grateful to each of you for not giving up. I am happy to see all our friends and allies – from the [United Transitional] Cabinet, the Coordination Council, the People’s Embassies, and the wonderful diasporas, from Cyber Partisans and BelPol, from the Cultural Council and solidarity foundations.
Journalists and human rights defenders. Cultural figures. Volunteers. And dear Pavel [Latushka] – our chief firestarter.
I also welcome all the former political prisoners who went through hell and returned to the struggle to fight for the release of everyone still behind bars. Today, in the folder where I once carried Siarhei’s picture, I have the picture of Iryna Takarchuk, mother of Volha, sentenced to prison for sending parcels for other political prisoners. We are fighting for her release as well.
I also want to greet more than 40 international guests.
Dear diplomats, ambassadors, special envoys, and partners – thank you for standing with us through all these years. We will never forget your solidarity.
Deepest gratitude goes to Poland, alongside Lithuania, for opening your doors and hearts to hundreds of thousands of Belarusians. Thanks to all representatives of the European Union. As you know, for us, the EU is not just a partner – it is our destination.
And of course, thanks to the American delegation – for all your efforts to release political prisoners, including my husband, Siarhei – whom I am so happy to see here today, after five long years, standing nearby.
My dear friends,
Today, we will march through Warsaw and hold solidarity actions in 18 countries around the world.
We will remember our heroes – those who died during the protests and in prisons, and those who fell in the battles for Ukraine.
I am eagerly looking forward to the debate session. The best ideas are born in arguments.
At the end of the Conference, we will announce new campaigns. We will make appointments to the United Transitional Cabinet and to foreign missions. We will publish six final documents from our conference and outline the priorities of the democratic forces for the coming year.
We are strong because we are diverse. And yes, we may have different positions. That is normal.
What matters most is that we share a single goal we are working toward – a free, independent, and European Belarus.
I wish us all fruitful work!
Long Live Belarus!
