Dzmitry Bandarenka: Loud Whisper In Kitchen Not Enough To Make Them Respect You

It’s necessary so that 100 thousand Belarusians gathered in Minsk to mark the 100th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic.

On December 19, 2010, presidential elections took place in Belarus. After the closure of polling stations, dozens of thousands of people went to a demonstration against the falsification of the voting results. It has become the most massive protest in Belarus in the recent years.

On the seventh anniversary of the Square of Dignity, the Charter97.org restored the chronology of the events, together with participant of the Square-2010 and coordinator of the “European Belarus” civil campaign Dzmitry Bandarenka:

- You are an organizer of numerous political campaigns and protest actions. Did you have a feeling that exactly that Square would be something special?

- For our team, the only justification for participating in the elections has always been the need to hold the Square action. Because people and the country must show their longing for independence and freedom, their willingness to resist. We clearly understood that the government did not intend to change anything, as Lidziya Yarmoshyna remained at the post of the CEC Chairperson, there were no changes in the Electoral Code.

This campaign was special for us, because our candidate, my friend Andrei Sannikov, took part in it. In 2001, 2006 we worked in a certain sense “for somebody else”, for the pseudo-united candidates Uladzimir Hancharyk and Aliaksandr Milinkevich. They were the people who at the most important moment sneaked out, hid in the bushes. And in 2010 it was easier for us, because we had our own candidate.

- We would like to restore the chronology of the events. What did you see when you came to the Kastrychnitskaya Square? What were your first impressions?

- Before the Kastrychnitskaya Square, it was reported that presidential candidate Uladzimir Niakliaeu was brutally beaten, as well as dozens of other people, who didn’t manage to get to the square. We had a question whether the Kastrychnitskaya Square was sealed or not, whether we would be able to get there. There were very many people. A rather impressive column of supporters of Mikalai Statkevich and Vital Rymasheuski arrived. They called on their allies to gather in the Railway Station Square. Thousands of people already came to the Kastrychnitskaya Square.

I was surprised at the absurdity of the authorities’ behaviour. They made an ice rink in the Square. Strong-looking men were skating on it, I do not know, maybe from the hockey team of Lukashenka. It made me laugh.

Of course, the first impressions were that a huge number of people gathered. This gave hope that the evening would be dynamic. We know that Lukashenka threatened that no one would come out. But, as is usually the case with his predictions, everything turned out the other way around. There were a lot of people, and the action was powerful.

- The people who gathered in the Kastrychnitskaya Square occupied the Avenue and marched towards the Independence Square. What was the energy and the dynamics of that march?

- For me, it was a very important moment in which direction the movement will be. Of all the candidates, the opinion and point of view of Mikalai Statkevich was important for us. This is a very respectable person and a politician who participated in the conduct of many actions. We had to agree on what we are doing next.

Mikalai suggested that people approach the Lukashenka administration, and then move to the Independence Square. There was another option to go to the television on Makayonak Street. But when we moved onto the roadway, it became clear that it was quite difficult to get down into the underground passage or to somehow turn the people around. The protesters went along the avenue towards the Independence Square. There were a lot of gathered people, everyone felt euphoria, because this event was so long-expected. The activists of the “European Belarus” managed to carry the equipment to the Square, most of the presidential candidates made very powerful speeches, although the authorities tried to drown everything out with some Russian pop music.

The movement began. When approaching the intersection with the Lenin Street, near the McDonald's, the number of people and the fantastic energy of the march were clearly visible. There was hope for changes. It was in a certain sense the moment of truth.

I was at many protests, including the Maidan during the Orange Revolution. I want to note that the mood was very similar, and there were even more people than on the first day of the Orange Revolution. Therefore, we should not belittle ourselves, on December 19, Belarusians showed their strength and desire “to be called humans”.

- The independent candidates offered the authorities to go for negotiations, but we are all aware how it ended. How do you assess the actions of the authorities?

- I do not agree that we know everything that happened in the Square. There is still much to learn. It is not clear who prepared these provocations, who was in the first group of people that began to break the glass. In the KGB prison, I was interrogated by military counterintelligence agents. They were really surprised and did not know what kind of group it was. I told them that it was not the opposition, but some people of theirs. That the provocation was prepared by the authorities and who is responsible for all this - we will someday find out.

Of course, all opposition leaders were peaceful. The task was to hold on through the night, till the morning. According to the experience of Maidan, according to the experience of other countries, it was clear from the Belarusian experience that new people should join in the morning, strikes in the country would begin.

The opposition leaders offered negotiations to the authorities. I will say that before the explosion in the metro on April 11, 2011, there was still the possibility of breaking the deadlock in which the country was and continues to be for many years. There are still many questions about the explosion in the metro. This event finally crossed out all hopes for peaceful talks.

- What lessons can be learned from the events of the Square-2010? What would you like to wish Belarusians on the 7th anniversary of this event?

- I believe that Andrei Sannikov, his whole family, the leaders of our team, activists and many thousands of people gave all their strength to make this Square happen. After all, we are in a completely different situation, compared even with Ukraine. We cannot expose the scene, screens, adjust the sound, because there is no systemic opposition in Belarus. In Kyiv, the protesters were helped even by the police or, at least, they did not interfere. Here, it is impossible.

In my opinion, the Liberty March, many Freedom Days, the Chernobyl Way, the Kurapaty defense, the Square- 2006, the Square- 2010 remain the brightest pages of the Belarusian Resistance.

The country and the people must show that they do not agree with the dictatorship, show their desire for freedom. A loud whisper in the kitchen is not enough to be respected in the world. We were at the Squares, we fought, we went to jails, we did what we could. Belarusians and the country have something to be proud of.

We all need to continue fighting in different forms. Do it on your own, local level: convince people, acquaintances, somehow attract them to join the Resistance.

For me, a very big surprise was communication with one of my peers. He said that he was busy with his business, the interests of his family, but only in 2010 he opened his eyes, he began to take an interest in the politics and history of our country and told his relatives about it. This is an example of an action at the local level.

We have the glorious date ahead - March 25, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian People's Republic. This event can unite all political forces, trends and directions. I do not exclude that this may push the authorities to some joint celebration.

I wish that 100 thousand Belarusians would gather in Minsk on the 100th anniversary of the BPR. Not even against the authorities, not against the dictatorship, but on the great holiday of the 100th anniversary of the restoration of our Independence.