‘I Wish There Is Real Belarus In Belarus’

New Year's greetings from Belarusians in Poland.

What was the outgoing year like for Belarusian emigrants? What do they wish for themselves, their loved ones, the entire emigration, Poland and Belarus in the New Year? A “Polish Radio” correspondent asked Belarusians in Poznan about this.

On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, people are usually in high spirits. True, this is not particularly noticeable in the immigrant environment, but nevertheless, people willingly answer questions.

And it is noticeable that their wishes differ from those that many usually voiced in pre-holiday surveys to journalists in Belarus before 2020.

Natallia is an active figure in the Belarusian environment, she is involved in the Belarusian library, and participates in the Belarusian conversation club.

That is why journalists first turned to her with their questions.

— Natallia, what was this year like for you? What is mentioned?

— It was difficult. A year in exile is always difficult, but it passed quickly, because there were many events. And it is difficult, because it is an emigration, and you understand that you will not return home anytime soon. You have to somehow realize that you need to stay here and do something.

— What would you wish for in the new year, first of all for yourself, your loved ones, the entire emigration, Poland and Belarus?

— To those in exile, I would wish to stick together, support each other, do everything in their power to settle here, but not to forget about the Motherland.

In Belarus, I wish people to be careful, to preserve themselves and wait for us. And I wish the Poles all the best, to continue to develop, to look at their neighbors and know what not to do. So that everything is good for them.

And I wish myself to learn to rest in those little minutes, if they exist. People need rest.

— My name is Ilya Sinitsa, I am the conductor of the “Poznan Singing Assembly”.

— What was this year like for you?

— Well, as they like to say on TV, it was a difficult year. Many new people joined the choir, many new challenges were faced. For the first time we took part in a competition with professional groups, for the first time we raised money to record our songs. We did a lot for the first time this year. And I must say that we didn’t always believe that it would work out, but it did. When you do a lot of things, it’s always difficult. The old choir has already sung very well, and the new people have not yet fully integrated into the team. The difficulty is in growing professionally, and this is not easy. Nevertheless, you can’t stand in the swamp of stagnation, so we grow, hone our own skills and requirements in order to do better. If in the first years we still made some allowances for the fact that, they say, the team is amateur, now we can’t afford that.

— And what would you wish for yourself, the choir, the entire Belarusian emigration, Poland and Belarus in the new year?

— I would wish you quiet success in everything, in any endeavor. It seems to me that this is the only way that can lead to some changes. Hard work on one thing, even hidden from prying eyes, for the sake of the result. Then miracles happen. True, you should only rely on yourself.

I would wish Belarusians in Poland to unite more. Of course, we are mostly sitting in our own bubble here, but nevertheless, many do not know that we have a Belarusian school, choir, dances, places where people speak Belarusian. And many watch Russian YouTube, learn Polish and do not know what to do. It is worth visiting Belarusian places — life goes on there. Look for Belarusians, we need to be together.

Alena is a Belarusian language teacher at a Belarusian Saturday school. She looks a little surprised by the unexpected question, smiles and answers:

— So right away? I need to think about it. But this was the year when I realized that I would not return to Belarus, that I would be here.

— And what was this year like for you?

— I didn’t lose anything and I don’t have any special achievements, I just lived a normal life.

— And what would you wish for yourself, your loved ones, the Belarusian emigration, Poland and Belarus in the new year?

— I wish that everyone would learn to love themselves first of all. After all, as it turns out, this is very important. If you love yourself, then you will love everyone else.

I would ideally wish emigrants that emigration would finally end, so that everyone could return home if they want. And if that doesn’t work out, then just find themselves here.

The Poles are great. I am very pleased to see the changes in society that are happening here, how everything is created for the people. I wish that this country would continue to develop and do everything for the people.

And I wish Belarus freedom and only freedom. If there is freedom, everything else will follow.

Many people know Nasta and her friends: they organized Belarusian folk dances in Poznan. Not only Belarusians come to the classes, but also Ukrainians, Poles, and in the summer tourists watch them with delight. The questions for Nasta are the same.

— The year was good, although not easy. Despite everything, many good things happened. One of the main ones is that we launched our project with Belarusian folk dances.

For myself, I would like to find a permanent job in order to have a stable income. This is the most important thing for me now, as it is for many emigrants. If this appears, then the rest will add up. All other activities will be a joy without worrying about how to live tomorrow. Well, it is very important not to lose each other, to stick together. In support and solidarity is our strength.

I do not know if I can wish anything at all to the Poles. I thank them for accepting us here and putting up with us, although we are not such bad neighbors. I wish them further patience.

And I wish patience to Belarus too. Let them live as best they can. Everything has its time. You always want more, but I am not there to advise people who are there now, because it is actually easier to talk and do something here. The main thing is not to betray yourself.

Maryja, who works in the IT sector, hesitates for a moment, but answers confidently:

— There were different things, but I can say that the year was quite productive in terms of living in Poland and raising children. I improved my knowledge of the Polish language, my family moved to a new apartment with better conditions and less pay. The children are in school and kindergarten. There is work and income, which means you can live.

I wish everyone to believe in themselves and in goodness, to always give yourself a second chance. Integrate into Polish culture, but do not forget about our roots, our origin. Goodness and happiness to everyone.

I would also like to wish that Belarus becomes a European, democratic, free country. Let's hope and believe, although all this is quite difficult.

Yulia, an active member of the Belarusian diaspora, organizer of the Belarusian Conversation Club, where they discuss modern Belarusian literature.

— I hadn’t thought about it, but the year, as always, was difficult. I want to go home more and more. They say: live and get used to it, but I just can’t. That’s why I’m here dealing with Belarusian affairs.

— What would you like to wish for yourself, your family, the Belarusian emigration, Poland and Belarus in the new year?

— I would like to thank them for welcoming us like this. Let everything be fine with them, and let this war not reach here. And I wish the Belarusians to return home, meet their families, loved ones, hug and be close.

Volha, a translator, contemplates for a moment, but answers:

— This year was an adaptation year for me. This is my second year here, and the first one flew by so quickly that I didn’t even understand what was happening — there was a feeling of shock. And this year has become more real. This is real life, when you understand what, where and how is happening, and feel that you are becoming a part of this place. The adaptation process continues, but it is going in a good direction.

I wish myself to settle down better and find peace. Always a wish for everyone and for any year — to find peace of mind.

Mikita, a musician working in a cafe, smiles:

— This year Nasta and I got married, and now we are running the cafe together. We are very happy, although there were many issues that needed to be resolved. Therefore, sometimes it was emotionally difficult. But we tried very hard.

— And what would you like to wish for yourself, your family, Belarusian emigration, Poland and Belarus in the new year?

— As always, keep the light in yourself. And I wish there is real Belarus in Belarus.

I join all these wishes and on my own behalf I want to add: may the next year be a year of fulfilling the most ambitious plans for all of us, bring good luck in all our affairs and endeavors.

Health and happiness to you and your loved ones, joy and optimism, kindness and peace!

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