On November 17–18, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kraków to participate in the Open Eyes Economy Summit, one of Europe’s largest forums dedicated to the value-based economy, where she delivered an opening speech.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also held meetings with the Mayor, Aleksander Miszalski, the Chairman of the City Council, Jakub Kosek, as well as representatives of the Belarusian diaspora and cultural initiatives.
In talks with Mayor Miszalski and City Council Chairman Kosek, the main needs of Belarusians living in Kraków were discussed: issues of legal stay and documentation, integration, and access to municipal services. The discussion included the possibility of creating Belarusian-language versions of city websites, supporting Belarusian cultural events, and allocating additional space for the activities of Belarusian community groups.
The parties also discussed installing commemorative plaques at locations connected to shared Belarusian-Polish history and supporting Belarusian sports and educational initiatives – for example, the amateur football club Polesie United and the Fairplay project, which promotes human rights through sports. The sides agreed to establish ongoing dialogue between the city authorities and Belarusian NGOs.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also proposed joint events in support of imprisoned journalist and Sakharov Prize laureate Andrzej Poczobut, as well as an exhibition at the City Council.
She thanked the city leadership for supporting Belarusians after 2020 and noted that Kraków has become an important relocation hub for Belarusian IT companies and civic initiatives.
Kraków is home to one of the largest Belarusian communities in Poland, estimated at 10,000–15,000 people. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with activists and leaders of Belarusian NGOs, as well as initiators of cultural and educational projects.
In the evening of November 17, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian diaspora at the Goethe-Institut.
