Freedom Day in Belarus: collective memory and the future, in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine

Thursday 24 March, 3pm

Via Zoom

Moderator: Prof. Elena Korosteleva.

Speakers:

Tatiana Shchyttsova, Representative on Education and Science, Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Prof. David Marples, Distinguished Professor of History, University of Alberta

Veranika Laputska, Research Fellow at The Eurasian States in Transition Research Center

Dr Olga Onuch, Associate Professor in Politics, University of Manchester

Elena Gapova. Professor in the Department of Sociology at Western Michigan University.

March 25 - the main national holiday (Freedom Day or Dzen' Voli) in Belarus - represents a special date for all democratically minded Belarusians - a day to celebrate independence. In contrast, for Alexander Lukashenka, this holiday has always been problematic, both because of its ability to mobilise the protesting public but also because of the special place that this holiday has in public opinion and the collective memory of Belarusians. Indeed, whenever there has been an opportunity or need, there have been protests on this day in Belarus, met with varying degrees of brutality and repression by Lukashenka’s regime. In 2021, at a moment of acute political tension, March 25 witnessed the streets of Belarus teeming with special troops and police, with the authorities fearing mass protest and uprising in the name of freedom. This year, with Lukashenka inviting Russian military forces into Belarus, the situation is further complicated as Freedom Day grapples with real threats to Belarus’s independence and freedom. Indeed, there are even concerns that threats to Belarus' independence are so great that it may lose its sovereignty altogether.

In this context, as Freedom Day 2022 approaches, we explore the special significance of this holiday for Belarusian identity and collective memory? We ask what this year’s Freedom Day might look like in Belarus and how its meaning is transformed in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine? What ideas about the independence and sovereignty of the country are there in the collective memory and public opinions of Belarusians? How enduring are these ideas and how can they help sustain Belarus’ independence through this difficult period?