Alexievich, Antonchyk, Arlou, Haretski, Shushkevich Awarded With ‘100 Years Of BPR’ Medal

The ceremony took place in the building where 101 years ago the independence of the BPR was proclaimed.

The venue for the ceremony is symbolic - a cafe in Minsk, at Valadarski Street, 7. In this building 101 years ago the independence of the Belarusian People's Republic was proclaimed. Currently, there is a sign in the cafe, which was supposed to hang on the facade, Radio Svaboda writes.

“Nobel laureate Sviatlana Alexievich, writer and historian Uladzimir Arlou, deputy of the Supreme Council of the 12th convocation Siarhei Antonchyk, academician Radzim Haretski, former chairman of the Supreme Council of the 12th convocation, Professor Stanislau Shushkevich in a democratic independent Belarusian state would have received state awards,” say representatives of the BPR .

“Coincidentally, this year we also celebrate the anniversary of my uncle Maksim Haretski - he would have turned 125 years old. 100 years ago, Maksim Haretski was at a meeting of the BPR Rada in Vilnius, wrote a very vivid story about the creation of the BPR.

I want to the words of Nil Hilevich to come true: “And yet we will reach, we will get to Belarus,” says academician Radzim Haretski

Chairman of the 12th Supreme Council Stanislau Shushkevich Belarusian has no state awards, although it is the winner of the BSSR State Prize, honored worker of science and technology.

Stanislau Shushkevich told that in 1995 he gave up the medal of the National Academy of Sciences, since they did not invite him to the ceremony, fearing a negative reaction of Lukashenka. However, Shushkevich has the prestigious award of Lithuania - the Order of Vytautas the Great, which he was awarded in 2010.

Deputy of the Supreme Council of the 12th convocation Siarhei Antonchyk sincerely thanked the BPR Rada.

“I never thought of myself as a hero, but I'm glad that I was lucky enough to take part in the destiny of this country. This award gives us strength and inspiration to continue to fight. Each of us has something to do for the country,” Antonchyk said as he received the medal.

Writer Uladzimir Arlou in 1991 was awarded the State Medal of Francysk Skaryna.

“I want to express my belief that the medal for the 100th anniversary of the BPR will be equated to the highest state awards of the Republic of Belarus,” said Uladzimir Arlou.

Mr. Arlou received the medal “100 years of BPR” also on behalf of Nobel laureate Sviatlana Alexievich, who fell ill and was sorry that she could not attend the ceremony.

The medal was approved during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the independence of the Belarusian People's Republic “ to be awarded for lifetime achievements in the work for the fulfillment of the ideals of the Act of March 25, 1918, including the research and popularization of the Belarusianity, the acquisition and strengthening of the state independence of Belarus, the fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus”.

The medal to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the BPR has been awarded to more than 180 persons. The presentation of medals will take place throughout the year.