During her visit to Romania, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a lecture at the West University of Timișoara, followed by a discussion with students and faculty members, who had the opportunity to ask Ms. Tsikhanouskaya questions.
The West University of Timișoara is one of Romania’s leading public universities. Since the 1989 Revolution, it has undergone a profound transformation and today comprises 11 faculties and approximately 15,000 students.
During her lecture, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya drew parallels between the 1989 Romanian Revolution and the protests in Belarus:
“Yesterday, I met with veterans of your 1989 Revolution. Some of them were among those who stood up against Ceaușescu. We had a candid conversation, and at times I almost forgot that we were talking about Romania. I recognized so much of what they described. The fear of speaking openly. The feeling that the dictatorship would last forever. The moment when ordinary people found the courage to say, ‘Enough’. And the incredible solidarity between complete strangers”.
The Belarusian leader expressed hope for greater cooperation between the university and Belarusian students, faculty, and researchers. The West University of Timișoara has already joined the #100forBelarus program, which provides 100 scholarships for Belarusian students.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya finished her lecture by calling on Romanian students to cherish and defend democracy, never take freedom for granted, and support people who are still fighting for their rights:
“I have read the Timișoara Proclamation. Free elections. Political pluralism. Competence and accountability. Respect for human dignity. An end to the old system of fear. These were exactly the things Belarusians demanded in 2020. And these are the things we are still fighting for today. I cannot tell you when Belarus will become free. But I know that it will happen”.
