Belarusians living in Vilnius also celebrated anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR) with a series of festive actions.

A national lecture with participation of Lithuanian politicians was conducted on March 21 in the building of the European Humanitarian University.

An action “Last words” took place on March 22 on the Lukishka square. Kastus’ Kalinouski was hanged in accordance with the order of the Russian governor on this very day.

Participants of the action waved national and Lithuanian flags. They also sang the national Belarusian hymn “Great God,” placed a wreath with white-red-white flowers at the monument of the perished rebels, held burning candles. Afterwards people went towards the Gedymin Ave. and placed a wreath at the monument to the victims of communism. Such route underscored the shift from an imperial to a communist Russia.

On March 25, during the Liberty Day, flowers were placed at the monument of Ivan and Anton Lutskevich, who created the Belarusian National Republic. A holiday concert was conducted later. Khvedar Nyunka, a member of the BNR’s Rada, read the greetings prepared by the head of the BNR’s Rada, Ivonka Survila. Several Lithuanian deputies also congratulated those present. Vatslav Stankevich, who has Belarusian roots and speaks Belarusian fluently, was greeted very enthusiastically. Participants headed towards the church of St. Trinity and prayed for Belarus.

Lithuanian legislators, together with Valdas Adamkus, Lithuanian President, also marked the 90-year anniversary of the BNR during their session on March 26, in the Constitutional Hall of the Lithuanian’s Seym. Lithuanian authorities condemned the actions of Belarusian authorities during demonstrations conducted in Mensk on Marsh 25. Lithuanian journalists also directly suffered from the assault on the demonstrators.