25 March marks Freedom Day in Belarus. The date commemorates 1918, when the Council of the Belarusian Democratic Republic proclaimed Belarus a free and independent state.
Freedom Day in Belarus is not officially recognised by the authorities. Instead, it is widely celebrated by the Belarusian diaspora and has become a symbol of the Belarusian people’s struggle for freedom and their aspiration to live as a peaceful and independent nation.
On this Freedom Day, we are sharing a selection of resources and an overview of our work on and with Belarus.
"Belarusian Freedom Day — is far more than a mere date on the calendar. It stands as a profound testament that the Belarusian struggle for liberation was not simply born in the protests of 2020. It is a deeply rooted legacy that has endured for centuries and pulses with unwavering resilience today.
This day represents a historic, unyielding resistance against a relentless cycle of occupation and authoritarianism, embodying the endless fight for the freedom and sovereignty of the Belarusian people. We hold onto the fierce and abiding hope that one day, this long and arduous journey will finally culminate in free, democratic Belarus, that proved for centuries its strength and resilience.
We look forward to continuing our work on Belarus and expanding this dialogue further. Happy Freedom Day to all Belarusians and everyone celebrating Belarusian centuries-long resilience.
Zhyve Belarus! Long Live Belarus!"Viktorya Andrukovich, Dialogbüro Vienna Belarus programme’s coordinator