Ales Marachkin: Strength Of Charter’97 In Its Mobility

The Charter’97 united bright and initiative people.

On November 10, 1997, the document Charter’97 was first published. The founders of the initiative urged the Belarusian people to fight for their rights and freeedoms, as well as for the restoration of legality and democracy in the country.

The document was signed by over 100 well-known Belarusian public figures, including famous Belarusian artist, one of the founders of the “Pahonia” association Ales Marachkin.

The website charter97.org continues publication of interviews with the people who created the Charter’97 20 years ago, and asked Ales Marachkin how it all had started:

— The time flies very fast. Of course I remember the year 1997, the time when we created this initiative. Many hopes were connected with that beginning. Hundreds of famous Belarusians signed the document, including Vasil Bykau, Henadz Buraukin, Ryhor Baradulin. We clearly realized the importance of this event.

You know, numerous initiatives, radio stations, media resources cease existing, but the Charter’97 continues its struggle. We can say now that our hopes and expectations came true.

— You said that the Charter’97 continues its struggle. In your opinion, what is the secret of its longevity?

— As an artist, I noticed one interesting thing: ships should not sail under different winds. There must be a tendency. There will be dissenters, there will be critics, but the Charter'97 firmly stands on the foundation of democratic and European values.

I would like to wish luck to all of your readers, to your entire staff, who have experienced many persecutions and repressions. Here I would like to recall what Natallia Radzina, the editor-in-chief of the website, had to come through and wish her strength in our hard struggle for the free Belarus. I would like to wish health and successes to Andrei Sannikov. I would also like to recall Dzmitry Bandarenka — when I hear the name of this man, I immediately recall the defense of Kurapaty in 2001, when courageous people lay down under the tractors in this sacred place for Belarusians

You know, the strength of the Charter'97 is in its mobility. It united bright and initiative people who quickly react to everything that happens in Belarus and the world. I start my every morning with the Charter'97, Belarusian Partisan, Nasha Niva and Radio Svaboda. Congratulations to all of us on this landmark date.