September 17th is remarkable date for Belarusians, expert explains why
National Unity Day, celebrated in Belarus on September 17th, is a very important holiday, and its joining the calendar of memorable dates became a turning point in the national politics – as stated by Vadim Gigin, the Chairman of the Board of the Republican Znanie Belarusian Society, in his talk with Alfa Radio
As noted by the expert, many memorable dates in Belarus are somehow connected with the Great Patriotic War – ‘which left a deep mark not only in the state history and national memory, but also in the soul of every person’. “For example, at almost all meetings, our citizens insistently ask to inform them when Day of Partisans and Underground Workers will be established in the country. There is a great support of this holiday, and the same could be said about September 17th. For many years, people in Belarus were addressing the state authorities with a request to start celebrating this date or other one related to the country’s liberation from the Polish occupation. True, nobody came out with posters, but conferences, seminars, round table discussions were organised on a regular basis, and collective letters were prepared. A politically active part of society largely demanded the introduction of this holiday. Meanwhile, a part of society – less interested in historical and political topics – began to understand everything more after the holiday was established,” Mr. Gigin explained.
The expert added that the fugitives and their supporters who stay in Belarus treat the date of September 17th with hatred. "This suggests that they have broken away from their people. Moreover, they protect the interests of Poland, which pays them money," he said.
"The date of September 17th is important for us since it is a turning point. Until 2020, we demonstrated excessive tolerance – trying to be nice to everyone. We were probably right, in our own way. However, the year of 2020 showed that it was necessary to stop flirting. These people want to deprive us of statehood and impose on us a protectorate exactly the same as they are now imposing on the Kiev regime. Definitely, the proclamation of September 17th as a national holiday is evidence of a turning point. It indicates that we are now pursuing a different policy. It is hardly possible to overestimate the significance of the date of September 17th – both in 1939 and now," Mr. Gigin stressed.
