"Not Freedom Day, but a week." Sevyarynets spoke about preparations for the March 25 celebration

Freedom Day in Vilnius at Town Hall Square in 2023, photo by Barys Haretski

Pavel Sevyarynets emphasized that the organizing committee does not manage the organization of the celebration, but helps Belarusians and coordinates their actions for a joint commemoration. According to him, the organizing committee contacted activists in various locations in more than 30 countries who plan to celebrate Freedom Day.

"This is a day that is the central Belarusian day both for Belarusians abroad and for Belarusians in Belarus itself. And therefore, coming out to celebrate on this day will be a certain indicator of the Belarusian movement as a whole. ... This spring is inspiring in many ways. Tyrannical regimes in the world are shaking, the liberation of political prisoners is ongoing in waves. And there is a certain hope," the politician stressed.

According to him, hundreds of events are planned in various cities and countries. They will be held in a variety of formats: marches, concerts, rallies, car rallies, games, cultural events. All of this is planned to be compiled into a single poster to inform the public.

The largest events are currently being coordinated with representatives of local authorities in major cities with a Belarusian presence. Since March 25 falls on a Wednesday this year, celebrations will begin earlier.

Thus, a large event is planned for March 21 in Białystok, on the 25th in Vilnius, and on the 28th in Warsaw.

"In this way, we have not Freedom Day, but a whole week of freedom. And many events within this week will simply be scattered, providing a continuous occasion for this Week of Freedom," said the head of the organizing committee.

Sevyarynets noted that in this year's organizing committee, there is a sense of unity among people of action who "understand each other with half a word." He emphasized that in matters of celebration, he spoke with people of absolutely different views: with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and with Zianon Pazniak, and with Maryia Kalesnikava, and with Ales Bialiatski.

"There were those who were not ready to participate in a common format. But ultimately, everyone will celebrate Freedom Day one way or another. Therefore, I think that the main part of Belarusians will exchange information and use the common plan," he said, expressing hope that "Belarusians are able to prove that Belarus lives."

For now, specific dates and locations for the celebrations are not being named, as organizational actions and arrangements with authorities are still ongoing in many cases. However, for example, in Canada and the USA, in certain instances, a fully prepared scenario of speeches already exists. Events are also planned in Ukraine: Kyiv and Lviv, although announcements there are even more difficult due to the martial law.

On March 2, the first meeting of the organizing committee for the celebration of Freedom Day took place. Representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office, political parties, as well as co-organizers of events in Vilnius and Warsaw, took part in it. Following the voting, Pavel Sevyarynets was elected as the chairman of the organizing committee.

The goal of the organizing committee is to define common priorities and key messages for this year's Freedom Day celebration, as well as to coordinate and support the organization of events by Belarusian diasporas in various cities and countries. The task is to promote the best coordination between initiatives and organizers.

• 9
• 0
• 0
• 1
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0