Our Revolution
15- Natallia Radzina
- 9.08.2025, 9:41
- 20,334
This is the only way to build a strong democratic state.
August 9, 2020 has gone down in the history of Belarus as the day of the beginning of the most massive popular demonstrations against the dictatorship. Some call these events protests, but I continue to believe that it was a revolution.
In contrast to most of the current political figures of the Belarusian emigration, I have been openly in opposition to Lukashenko since 1997. At the age of 18, as a student of the BSU journalism department, I started working in independent media and during the long years of dictatorship I saw how slowly and hard the consciousness of people in Belarus was changing. Yes, since the dictator came to power in 1994, there was an active political opposition in the country, which, often at the cost of life and freedom, opposed Lukashenko. However, unfortunately, the majority of the Belarusian society inertly watched this unequal battle.
And finally, in 2020, there was a long-awaited break in the consciousness of Belarusian citizens. Most people remembered their dignity and their right to change the government and joined the struggle en masse. Therefore, this is a revolution, which changed the mentality and self-consciousness of the whole nation. The world started talking about Belarus.
Yes, we did not win. Thousands of people were imprisoned, many lost their lives, hundreds of thousands emigrated. But all these sacrifices are not in vain, because this is the only way to build a strong democratic state - through the uprisings of a people who yearn for freedom.
Yes, it is deeply disappointing to see various politicians and figures, all the froth that has sprung up in the wake of the 2020 revolution. But is it really that surprising? Revolution is made by romantics, and its fruits are often enjoyed by scumbag scoundrels. Despite this, always believe in yourself and Belarusians, because it is the people who are the main hero, motor and engine of those events. It was you, ordinary people, who risked everything and came out to protest against the hated dictator. It is you who have eternal glory and boundless respect.
And the past five years have not broken the Belarusians. All this is well understood by Lukashenko, who, although he has held on to power thanks to mass terror, continues to be panic-stricken with fear of his own people. All of them there, officials and generals, security officers and OMON officers, know that if the first opportunity arises, people will tear down their power to hell. And it will not be possible to hide behind the backs of decrepit grandfathers Lukashenko and Putin (thanks for beautiful picture from Valaam Island!). It is a matter of time.
Natallia Radzina, editor-in-chief of Charter97.org.
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