Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Yesterday Warsaw hosted the ‘Jandnajsia!’ (‘Unite!’) event. I believe that we all really need such gatherings. If we could all meet every day, hug, and talk, we would have more energy, strength, and inspiration to keep going.
During the event, passing through the roll-ups of Belarusian initiatives and meeting the smiles of people I did and did not know, I wondered how unique Belarusians are. Even in dark times, we do not lose optimism, and find the energy to keep going and inspire others.
During the discussion on solidarity, we talked about perhaps the most sore subject – the political prisoners. I may be a politician, but I am also the wife of a political prisoner. And it hurts me a lot that our loved ones have been behind bars for so long, and international organizations have been so powerless in stopping the repression and releasing people from prisons. And therefore, we all must understand – no one will free them, no one but us.
I was glad to see Hanna Kanavalava, whose grandchildren have not seen their parents [Antanina Kanavalava and Siarhei Yarashevich] for almost three years. I am very sorry that I did not have time to greet and thank everyone for their work and support. But I can say now: I am truly grateful to all of you!”
