On August 10, Prague hosted the discussion “1968–1989, 2020–?: A Czech Lesson for Belarus”, marking the sixth anniversary of the protests against dictatorship and violence in Belarus. The event brought together around 100 people, including Czech representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs, and civil society.
The event was organized by the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic and the Twentieth Century Memorial Museum. Participants discussed the Czech experience from the Prague Spring of 1968 to the Velvet Revolution of 1989 and the lessons this experience can offer Belarusians.
In her video address, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Czech partners and the public for their support for Belarus. She stressed the importance of preserving the memory of crimes committed by totalitarian regimes and documenting repression and noted that the Czech experience shows that even after decades of dictatorship and occupation, a society can return to freedom and democracy.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also welcomed the efforts of Belarusians to document evidence of repression now and create a legal framework for future investigations into the regime’s crimes. She stressed that Belarusian national identity is growing stronger and that the aspiration for a free and European Belarus remains unwavering:
“When we look at the title of today’s event, we are reminded that freedom is a marathon, not a sprint. Tyranny is never eternal. No matter how brutal a regime may seem, a system built on fear, lies, and dependence on outsiders is inherently fragile. Six years after 2020, the question mark in ‘2020–?’ remains. But the answer depends on our perseverance, our unity, and your continued support”.
