GRODNO, 12 May (BelTA) - Belarus managed to protect its people, culture, despite what happened in history and what is happening now, Polish dissident, judge Tomasz Szmydt told BelTA.
"Dear Belarusians, I see that you managed to protect your people, your culture, despite what happened in history, despite what is happening now. You are a people who have your own national consciousness. Consciousness of who you are, what your roots are," Tomasz Szmydt said.
On 12 May Tomasz Szmydt went to Grodno. "We are near the church, which was built in the 12th century. This is one of the oldest historical monuments in Grodno, and it testifies that Belarusians preserve and cherish their culture. There are traces of Polish culture, which is also respected, cherished and appreciated in Belarus. Despite the fact that our relations in different periods were difficult," the judge said.
"Belarusians preserve their own traditions. They also take care of the Polish traditions preserved here. They do not divide them, but unite them. This is wonderful!" he stressed.
"I look back at our history, which was not easy. The 1920s: churches, Belarusian-language schools were closed. But despite this, despite the pressure, Belarusians were able to preserve their nationality and the originality of their culture. Now the situation is repeating: the borders have been closed, the West is closing itself off from Belarus. It's not Belarus that is closing! Belarus is an open, friendly state," Tomasz Szmydt added.
Photos by Leonid Shcheglov/BelTA
