MINSK, 1 July (BelTA) – The day of 3 July when Belarus celebrates Independence Day bears a lot of important, sacred meanings for the country, Candidate of Historical Sciences Valentin Starichenok, an analyst with the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research (BISR), told journalists, BelTA has learned.
Valentin Starichenok shared his view about the significance of 3 July for Belarus. “This date conveys a lot of important, sacred meanings,” he noted. They include independence and, in a way, the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, because the Belarusian capital was liberated from the Nazi invaders on this day. “The victory on 3 July was one of the victories that led to the Great Victory on 9 May,” Valentin Starichenok believes.
He took part in the discussion “Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus: Victory Narrative” as part of the Expert Community joint project of BelTA and the BISR. In the run-up to Independence Day, the experts discussed how modern Belarusians view 3 July and what meanings it holds for them. For example, Associate Professor at the Political Science Department of Belarusian State Economic University, Candidate of Historical Sciences Aleksei Belyayev stressed that 3 July is “the most positive of all holidays, which unites the society and gives no occasions for disruptions in it”.
The participants of the discussion noted that in the mid-1990s this date was in the center of an intense debate. However, Belarusians had their say on the matter at the nationwide referendum in 1996, choosing to celebrate Independence Day on 3 July. Chairman of the Education, Culture and Science Commission of the House of Representatives, Doctor of Historical Sciences Igor Marzalyuk said that 3 July is an important moment in the Belarusian historical narrative. It is based on continuity, does not renounce any stage in the Belarusian history, and reflects the complexity of the processes of the past.
The referendum was held 25 years ago. The experts discussed how much the perception and significance of Independence Day have changed since then. According to Editor-in-Chief of the Belaruskaya Dumka Magazine Aleksandr Karlyukevich, 3 July forms the basis of the country's independence and sovereignty and shapes its future.
