Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave speech for the Exhibition about Ales Bialiatski in Brussels:
“Excellencies,
Dear friends and guests,
and of course, my dear Belarusians.
It’s a big honor to be here with you – at this great exhibition dedicated to our hero and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ales Bialiatski.
And first of all, I wish to express my gratitude to all organizers and distinguished guests.
In particular, let me thank European Parliamentarians Andrzej Halicki, Włodzimierz Karpinski, Sandra Kalniete, Dace Melbarde and of course, our dear friend Andrius Kubilius. Thank you for everything you have done for the people of Belarus.
Huge thanks to Belarusians, who initiated and coorganized this exhibition, Ales Zarembiuk, director of the Belarusian House in Warsaw, and Natalia Kaliada from the Belarus Free Theatre. By the way, Natallia, congratulations with your award – Order of the British Empire, you truly deserve it!
Dear friends,
Ales Bialiatski is not just an activist or human rights defender. He is a symbol of the invincible spirit of Belarusians.
The headline of this exhibition is “I am not afraid, let them be afraid!” These simple words remind us of the strength and courage of Ales, but also all Belarusians.
Sadly, in Belarus, many good people are in jail for standing up for what’s right. They are held under inhumane conditions and separated from their families, just for wanting freedom and a better life.
We remember brave people like journalist Andrzej Poczobut who are being punished for their beliefs. For speaking the truth to counter the regime’s lies.
We remember Masha Kalesnikava, Mikalai Statkevich.
We remember everyone of more than 1.400 political prisoners.
Many, like Ales, are being kept incommunicado.
Thus, the regime takes revenge on Ales for his courage and his principles. The regime takes revenge on Ales for his kindness and openness. The regime takes revenge on Ales for his Europeanness and humanity.
Ales sacrificed his freedom because he believed in freedom for everyone. That none of us are free unless all of us are free.
But the regime is wrong if it thinks that imprisonment will break Ales. People like Ales, like all our political prisoners – they are unbreakable.
We will continue to fight until everyone is free. We will continue to fight until Belarus becomes a truly independent, democratic country. We will continue to fight so Belarus returns to the European family of nations, where it historically belongs.
And of course, we will continue to support Ukraine, our neighbor, in their fight for freedom too. And Ukraine’s victory will be our victory too.
Dear friends,
This exhibition about Ales Bialiatski is not just about one man. It’s about all of us who want freedom. It’s a chance for us to learn, to feel, and to support each other.
On March 25, we are celebrating our Freedom Day. On this day, 106 years ago, Belarus declared its independence.
And I invite all of you to mark this day together with us. Join the rallies, make statements, and write to political prisoners. Remind the world about the bravery of people like Ales.
Let us show Ales and all other political prisoners that they are not forgotten, and we all fight for them.
Let’s keep fighting together.
Long live Belarus! Long live freedom!”
