'The President Of Belarus And Deputies Will March From Prison To Kuropaty'

The opposition politician explained what Dzyady means to the Belarusian nation.

Today, November 2, Belarusians celebrate the Day of Remembrance of the Ancestors - Dzyady. Charter97.org spoke to Vyachaslau Siuchyk, leader of the Razam solidarity movement, about how the Belarusian revival began with Dzyady in 1988:

- In those years, 35 years ago, there was a period when the power of the communists was shaken. To this day I believe that it was the Dzyady that saved Belarus and our people. We should remember that in the years of Perestroika the first rallies were held, the organising committee of the Belarusian Popular Front Adrazhenie was created.

It was the truth about communist repression, Kuropaty, the Chernobyl disaster that helped the Belarusian people to wake up. The 1988 action in Minsk played an important role.

Many people came unexpectedly, and when the authorities began to take violent measures, they caused a sharp negative assessment in Belarusian society, which became a catalyst for future events. As a result, we managed to restore Belarusian statehood on 25 August 1991. I believe that this action had a strong impact on the history of the Belarusian people, and it was no coincidence.

- What does this day mean to you personally?

- It is important to me that despite the terror of the communists in the 20th century and two world wars, Dzyady has been preserved in the history of the Belarusian people. It is very important for all of us.

I am absolutely convinced that despite today's difficult situation, the Belarusian time will come. On 2 November, the democratically elected President of Belarus and his deputies will walk along the road from the Amerikanka prison in the centre of Minsk to Kuropaty. It will happen when Belarusians have the opportunity to choose their authorities.

It will happen, no matter how fantastic it sounds today.

- How can Belarusians honour the memory of their ancestors?

- I am deeply convinced that in Belarus, despite the terror of the Lukashenka-Putin gang, people honour the memory of their ancestors and the true heroes of our people on these days of remembrance.

The diaspora, of course, has many more opportunities. I would recommend people who cannot take part in the events abroad to read information about Dzyady. Visit a church or a parish.

I would like to ask everyone to remember their ancestors and the heroes of the Belarusian people. After all, our nation has many heroes. The connection of generations is manifested in our traditions, including Dzyady.