Smalyanchuk on BNR: The same event can be both a victory and, at the same time, a failure

"You know, history is something that never ends. Something passed, and then a time comes when you suddenly feel that what once was, lives almost here. Historians are often reproached for constantly rewriting history. But this is a normal, inevitable, natural process, unless, of course, the state interferes. Because every new generation has its own questions. And so it will be: after some time, the topic of the BNR's declaration will sound new. That's why I say: history is something that has no end. Its end is somewhere in the future, however paradoxical that may sound," Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk said at the very beginning.

"An Act of Despair" and "An Act for the Future of Belarus"

The speaker recalled how in 2004, during a scientific conference dedicated to the defeat of the Belarusian Peasant-Worker Hramada party (1927), he asked the participants: "Which event in 20th-century Belarusian history do you consider the greatest victory, and which the greatest defeat?" Smalyanchuk remembered the answer of historian Aleh Latyshonak. The author of "BNR Soldiers" answered the question about victory: "Of course, the declaration of the Belarusian People's Republic!" Before naming the greatest defeat, he paused. And after a moment, he delivered: "The declaration of the BNR..."

"It sounds paradoxical. It's unclear why. But this is precisely what we should discuss: why the same event can be both a victory and, at the same time, a failure," pondered Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk.

The declaration of independence of the Belarusian People's Republic on March 25, 1918, is viewed by Smalyanchuk, on the one hand, as an "act of despair" (hopes for creating a joint state with Lithuania were fading, as the Germans had already recognized Lithuania's independence), and on the other, as "an act for the future of factual Belarus."

"The BNR did not become a state, but it played an enormous role, as it became, among other things, one of the important factors that forced the Bolsheviks to create the SSRB — the Soviet Socialist Republic of Belarus, as it was originally called... This is a very important continuity. Today, people don't want to talk about it. But I am convinced that the Ukrainian SSR also emerged only because, before that, there was the UPR, there was the Hetmanate of Skoropadsky, there was a struggle for statehood.

The Bolsheviks didn't just give anything to anyone. You fought for a state? Fine, we'll give you a state — the SSRB, BSSR. We understand, of course, what kind of "state" that was. Nevertheless, it was very important, because the BSSR became the foundation of the Republic of Belarus. There is a direct continuity here..." — pondered Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk.

"To Stand on the Ground of Democratic Belarus"

Later, quoting Yanka Kupala's "somewhat sad" poem "And It Will Come" ("And new generations will come To take our place in society"), written already during the BSSR era, Smalyanchuk emphasized that the declaration of the BNR was "a step into the future, a step towards the Republic of Belarus, and even further." And the independent Republic of Belarus of 1991, with the BNR symbols – the white-red-white Flag and the Pahonia coat of arms – "was a victory and the return of the Belarusian People's Republic."

Павялічыць

"This is our continuity and our tradition — the BNR. And we must focus on this," said Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk.

"As you can see, it was not possible to defend it. And that country, which was supposed to be democratic and independent, unfortunately looks completely different today. But again: history does not end here," the historian assured.

In his concise history of the BNR's victories and defeats, Smalyanchuk also included stories about the fates of its founding fathers — Anton and Ivan Lutskievich, Jazep Varonka, Raman Skirmunt, about whose life and activities Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk wrote a "voluminous book."

"There was never unity. There was always a split between the lower and upper echelons. Something that, unfortunately, we observe even today. Although, on the other hand, you know, one can call for unity, but you understand that unity cannot be. There are always different views. Only – what is important? It is important that people argue, standing on the ground of Belarus, democratic and independent. And if they stand on this ground, then an agreement can always be reached. If they are all on this ground, if they all share one foundation, and not thoughts about their own interests – then an agreement can be reached. If not – then not," said Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk.

Author of the Red-Green Flag Paints Hitler's Portrait

Recalling the death of Raman Skirmunt, shot in Parechcha in 1929, the historian remarks: "It gives the impression that Belarusians themselves were shooting at their own future." And unfortunately, they continue to shoot.

"When we read about repression in Belarus today, you ask yourself, who are these 'siloviki' who are doing all this? I recently saw two such 'heroes.' One born in 1989, the other in 1995. Belarusians who grew up in the Belarusian state. And what are they doing?... Of course, one can talk for a very long time about the Kremlin, about Putin, and so on. And here I return to Lastouski again. Our history, our fate depends only on us. If we ourselves shoot at our own future, what can we expect? And therefore, the task of uniting Belarusians on some genetic, national, or other level remains relevant and very important today," asserted Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk.

The speaker combined historical digressions and reflections on the connection between historical events and the present with life stories and accounts of meetings with famous personalities. Thus, he recounted a recent conversation with the philologist and translator Liavon Barshcheuski.

Павялічыць

"He told me interesting things about flags. As is known, the white-red-white flag, which Lukashenka's propaganda calls fascist, was created by Klaudzi Duzh-Dusheўski, who hid Jews in Kaunas during the war, was arrested by the Germans, and imprisoned in a camp. Meanwhile, the author of the red-green flag, artist Mikalai Huseu, during the war, probably to avoid starving to death, painted portraits of German officers. And then, at the request of Gauleiter Kube, he painted a large portrait of Hitler, which was displayed in the central square of Minsk during rallies. You see? How complicated everything is in our history..." — said Smalyanchuk.

"To Rely on the Belarusian People"

"What, in your opinion, is the main lesson from the BNR's defeats and failures that current Belarusian democratic politicians should learn?" — we asked Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk immediately after the meeting.

"A difficult question, but I would say that one of the main lessons is still to strive for the unification of their efforts in the struggle for an independent democratic Belarus and to rely primarily on Belarusians.

If the support is their own Belarusian people, even if they are scattered around the world today, there will be victory. If there is no such support, if there is no mass support for the idea of an independent, democratic Belarus, it will be difficult to achieve anything. I think all politicians understand this without me," Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk summarized.

He admitted that he is celebrating the 108th anniversary of the BNR's declaration "with a slightly sad mood," because this holiday should be celebrated in Belarus, "but there is no such opportunity."

"It's sad, but, you know, I constantly try to speak somewhere and talk about the BNR because I consider it very important. It's very important that the topic of BNR history resonates, that people live by it, especially on Freedom Day. Because it is part of our past, our national memory," Aliaksandr Smalyanchuk concluded.

On March 28, a festive procession and celebration of the 108th anniversary of the declaration of the Belarusian People's Republic will take place in Warsaw. The Belarusian March on Freedom Day will start at 4 PM from Three Crosses Square in Warsaw.

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