The President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, held a Christmas reception for Belarusians. The event took place for the fourth consecutive year and has a unique character, as the President of Poland brings together representatives of the Belarusian democratic community.
More than 150 people attended, including journalists, bloggers, cultural figures, human rights defenders, politicians, actors, musicians, and athletes. This year, recently released political prisoners also took part, including Maryna Zolatava, Maksim Znak, Kseniya Lutskina, Yauhen Merkis, and many others.
In his speech, President Nawrocki emphasized that Poland has supported and will continue to support Belarusians in their struggle for freedom, and recalled a number of historical events that unite Belarusians and Poles.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked President Nawrocki, noting that Poland plays a special role not only in the history but also in the present of Belarus, and spoke about what Belarusians continue to do in exile and how they are doing everything possible to return home.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya:
“Dear guests,
First of all, allow me to express my deep gratitude to Mr. President for your warm words, for your solidarity, and for this meeting, which has become a good tradition here at the Belvedere. You cannot imagine how many Belarusians wished to be here today – to meet you and express their respect.
Here in Poland, the Belarusian issue is one that unites everyone – left and right, the government and the opposition alike. And this meeting is a clear signal that support for Belarus and for Belarusians will continue.
Today, I presented President Nawrocki with several books by Sergiusz Piasecki, translated into Belarusian. I know, Mr. President, that he is one of your favorite writers. Born on the territory of present-day Belarus, Piasecki showed how Belarusians and Poles overcame difficult times together – learning to survive under Soviet dictatorship and to resist tyranny side by side.
Belarusians have never been strangers to Poles, just as Poland has always stood close to Belarusians. Belarusians as a nation were formed within the Grand Duchy and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Together with the Poles, we fought for independence from Russia. We learned a great deal from Poland’s Solidarity Movement. We are united by Kościuszko and Kalinowski, Mickiewicz and Orzeszkowa, Orda and Ogiński…
And of course, by Sw@da x Niczos, who almost made it to Eurovision representing Poland! The Belarusians of Podlasie are a living example of how two cultures can coexist and enrich one another.
Today, we Belarusians look at Poland with admiration – and sometimes even with envy. You are more than a neighbor and an ally to us; you are an example. This is exactly the kind of Belarus we would like to see: a strong, free, and sovereign state that serves its citizens, not a foreign empire.
Yes, today we live in exile. But I know this is temporary. We will return home. Despite all the regime’s attempts to destroy us, we continue our work. Media outlets are resuming operations and reaching new audiences. Belsat is launching new programs. The Kalinowski Scholarship Program is recruiting talented students and training future leaders for a new Belarus. Our human rights defenders support those who are repressed. Businesspeople are developing globally known companies. We preserve our language and culture. The Kupalaŭcy troupe fills theaters. Belarusian athletes, such as Maryia Zhodzik and Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, are winning competitions in Poland. The football club Pahonia has advanced to the Polish league.
We are strengthening our democratic institutions – the United Transitional Cabinet and the Coordination Council. We are expanding international contacts. We are documenting the crimes of the regime, as respected individuals such as Pavel Latushka and the National Anti-Crisis Management team, as well as Belpol, do. We support Ukraine in its heroic struggle for freedom and are proud of our volunteers, because we understand that the fates of our countries are interconnected.
Dear Belarusians,
Thank you for not giving up, for not submitting, for not resigning yourselves. Thank you for continuing to walk together toward our goal. I believe that we Belarusians will also make our way to freedom, just as Poland once did. Yes, this path may seem long and difficult. But among us today are many former political prisoners who, just a month ago, were behind the regime’s bars. As you can see, everything is possible. And we must continue to fight for each and every one. For Katsiaryna Andreyeva, for Andrei Aliaksandrau, for Mikalai Statkevich. And, of course, for Andrzej Poczobut. Andrzej once said: ‘You just must not give up’. Let these words be our motto.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, dear friends. I wish you productivity, inspiration, victories – and above all, freedom. This is the greatest value in the world.
Niech żyje Polska,
and Long Live Belarus!”
After the speeches, there was a cultural program featuring carol singers and Belarusian songs and dances. An exhibition by artist Katsiarina Youdakimava about Belarusian political prisoners opened at the presidential residence.
