Memorial Event To Honor Victims Of Stalinism Held Near KGB Building In Minsk

Politician Mikalai Statkevich held a memorial event “Chain of Memory” dedicated to the 81 anniversary of the “black night.”

In Minsk, near the KGB building, an annual memorial event “Chain of Memory” honouring the victims of Stalinism took place.

The event was held in memory of those Belarusian poets, scholars, public and political figures, who were shot in the building of the NKVD on the night of October 29-30, 1937. The list of victims of repression includes more than 130 people, among them are Platon Halavach, Mikhas Charot, Ales Dudar, Mikhas Zaretski, Vasil Koval, Valer Marakou and many others.

Radio Svaboda and Belsat live streamed the event.

19.45

Mikalai Statkevich near the KGB basements: “People were killed here. They have walled up the basements, but they will never wall up our memory,” –the politician said and set candles under the wall. The action ended with a minute of silence.

19.38

Mikalai Statkevich thanked all those present and offered to leave lit candles on the steps of the KGB and

approach the back of the building, where the KGB basements are located, in which representatives of the Belarusian intelligentsia were shot.

19.25

Over 15 people took part in the event.

19.21

According to Uladzimir Niakliayeu the best talents of Belarus were shot in 1937. "Up to this day

people who were not affected by the terror, do not know about it, and do not want to know. Maybe people are genetically tired of this, of eternal suffering. But people need memory, the nation needs memory, it is impossible without it,” – Uladzimir Niakliayeu said.

19.15

More than a dozen people stand with candles near the KGB building. “This place is a place of fear, the greatest fear of Belarusians. One must have the courage to come here, to a place where there's nowhere to hide, to appear in front of the KGB officers' cameras. Most important is that this evnt takes place. If there was one person standing with a candle, then the event would not happen. And there are more than a dozen of us and this is enough to make the people working in this institution know that we remember,” – Mikalai Statkevich said.

19.12

Uladzimir Niakliayeu joined the event.

19.10

The participants lined up at the steps of the KGB building with candles in their hands.

18.55

Mikalai Statkevich and several activists came to the KGB building. They are being watched by police officers in plain clothes.