Belarusians, Lech Walesa and Bill Clinton congratulate first leader of state (Photo report)

The celebration dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the leader of independent Belarus Stanislau Shushkevich was held on January 14 in Minsk.

Prominent politicians, human rights activists, priests, scientists, poets, writers, film directors, journalists, Ambassadors of European countries and the US gathered to offer congratulations to Stanislau Shushkevich. Telegrams of greetings to the former Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Belarus have been sent by former US President Bill Clinton, and former President of Poland, legendary “Solidarity” leader Lech Walesa and politicians of other countries of the world.

Honouring of the birthday person was held in a friendly and warm atmosphere. Many kind words were said to Stanislau Shushkevich, firstly his services in destroying the Evil Empire, the Soviet Union, were noted. That resulted in emerging of a free independent Belarus. those present recalled Belarus headed by Shushkevich: a free and democratic country, with a legitimate parliament, free television and the press, “Pahonya” coat-of-arms and a white-red-white flag.

During the ceremony the first screening of the film “Stanislau Shushkevich” directed by Leanid Mindlin and Syarhei Isakau took place.

“Everyone will have one’s own answer to the question who Stanislau Shushkevich is. One would say he is the person who has destroyed the Soviet Union in Viskuli. A second would call him the first and the last legitimate leader of independent Belarus. A third one would call him an outstanding scientist. A forth one – a wonderful educator who has helped to 33 young scientists in passing their Ph.D. defense. And someone would recall that Shushkevich is a person with the smallest pension in Belarus. and all that would be true,” said the People’s Artist Zinaida Bandarenka.

Congratulating the great Belarusian, poets dedicated poems to him, artists dedicated him paintings, musicians – pieces of music, and young people expressed gratitude to Stanislau Shushkevich for his determination and courage which had helped to create the independent Republic of Belarus.

Stanislau Shushkevich and his wife Iryna are welcoming guests

Ukrainisn Ambassador Igor Lykhovoj

Lithuanian Ambassador Edminas Bagdonas

NTV reporter Pavel Selin deported from Belarus in 2003, has arrived to congratulate the hero of the anniversary

Former presidential candidate of Belarus Alyaksandr Kazulin

Ambassadors of many countries have come to congratulate Stanislau Shushkevich

Congratulations offered by the People’s poet of Belarus Henadz Buraukin

Alyaksei Marachkin, the head of the creative group “Pahonya”

During screening of the film “Stanislau Shushkevich”

Andrei Sannikov, the leader of “European Belarus”, young activists Yauhen Afnagel and Palina Kurjanovich

Former prime minister of Belarus Mikhail Chyhir

Mikalai Khalezin and Natalya Kalyada, “Free Theatre” leaders

Nuclear physics chair of the Belarusian State University has congratulated Shushkevich as well

With Roman Catholic bishop Antony Dzyamyanka

With Michael Scanlan, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States in Belarus

Valery Shchukin, a human rights activist, a Charter’97 coordinator Zmitser Bandarenka with his wife Volha, “European Belarus” activist Uladzimir Kobets

One of the founders of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Lyavon Barshcheuski

Hero of the day