Vadzim Saranchukou: Let's Make BPR's 100th Anniversary As Mass And Available As Possible

The rally and march will be held in the center of the city.

Hrodna authorities refused to join the organizing committee set up by opposition parties and public organizations to jointly celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Belarusian People's Republic, Radio Svaboda reports.

In response to the request of the organizing committee for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the BPR Hrodna authorities informed that the city is officially " considering the possibility of holding a science conference, literary exhibitions in the libraries of the city and a number of other events dedicated to this date."

Members of the organizing committee for celebration of the 100th anniversary of the BPR offered the Hrodna authorities a preliminary program of celebrations – a festive rally, march, concerts – which they would like to discuss together.

But the officials said that the local authorities organize rallies and marches in the city center only during the celebration of state holidays, and, as they said, the 100th anniversary of the BNR is not on this list. Therefore, "the representatives of the City Executive Committee consider your proposal to join the organizing committee to be unreasonable."

Commenting on the authorities' response to the proposal of the organizing committee, the head of the Hrodna branch of the BPF Vadzim Saranchukou said that they tried to do everything in order not to privatize the national holiday and make it as mass and available to people as possible.

"Unfortunately, the city administration does not see any benefits in cooperation with the civil society of Hrodna. This is a fact signed by the Deputy Chairman of the City Executive Committee," – Saranchukou says.

The Hrodna organizing committee consists of 14 organizations, including opposition political parties and public organizations. Back in January, they signed an appeal to the Hrodna authorities, in which they suggested to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the BPR together. They substantiated the historical significance of the BPR for the modern Belarus, emphasizing separately that a significant part of the BPR's historyis is connected with Hrodna.

The appeal also said that "the joint celebration of this date will provide an opportunity to establish dialogue and interaction between the representatives of the public, self-government and administration of Hrodna."