On January 25, commemorative events honoring the participants of the 1863–1864 January Uprising led by Kastus Kalinouski (Konstanty Kalinowski) took place in Vilnius.
The events were attended by the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, with his wife Diana; the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, with his wife Marta; and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with his wife Olena. As part of the commemorations, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya personally attended a Mass dedicated to the memory of the insurgents who fought against imperial oppression and defended the right of nations to freedom.
During the Mass at the Cathedral Basilica, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda noted that the efforts of the insurgents paved the way for new resistance and separated Lithuanians, Poles, Ukrainians, and Belarusians from Russia, expressing hope that “the democratic forces of Belarus will also prevail”. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called for solidarity with Belarusians and emphasized their role in the struggle for freedom: “Belarusians occupy an important place in the common fight for democratic values and freedom. Our success depends on the unity of the peoples of Central Europe”.
Following the service, wreaths were laid at the Rasos Cemetery – a place of remembrance for those who fought against imperial violence and believed in the right of nations to shape their own future. This memory remains important today, as Belarusians continue their struggle for their country’s freedom.
The ceremony was also attended by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, and Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, as well as representatives of the Belarusian community in Vilnius.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expresses her gratitude to all Belarusians who came to honor the memory of the insurgents: “Thank you to everyone who came to these commemorations today. Your presence is a sign that the memory of the struggle for freedom lives in the hearts of Belarusians, regardless of where we are. The memory of the 1863–1864 Uprising remains relevant today, as Belarusians continue to fight for freedom, independence, and a democratic future for their country. The legacy of Kastus Kalinouski reminds us that the struggle for dignity and human rights is a shared value that unites generations”.
