Belarusians in Lithuania marked anniversary of protests against Lukashenko

VILNIUS - Belarusians living in Lithuania gathered in Vilnius on Sunday to mark the sixth anniversary of mass protests against the rule of President Alexander Lukashenko.

The commemoration began with a rally in Cathedral Square, drawing about 100 people. Former political prisoners, politicians, civil society representatives and supporters of Belarus spoke about the struggle for democracy. Participants carried the historical white-red-white flags of Belarus, chanting "Long Live Belarus!" and singing songs that have become symbols of Belarusian solidarity.

Most Belarusians interviewed said they still believe the political situation in their country can change, although optimism has faded compared with 2020.

"I am not as optimistic as I was six years ago," said Anatolij Chinevic, a 32-year-old IT specialist who spent two and a half years in prison for participating in protests.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Kaciaryna Kanapliova, a French teacher who moved to Lithuania four years ago, said she still holds onto hope for change.

"Of course we have hope; the faith hasn't died out. Maybe in a few years the situation will change. Our goal is to preserve our Belarusian identity within ourselves. Even if we live in different countries, we want to keep our identity," Kanapliova said.

Kanapliova emphasised that the events aimed to remind the world that the people of Belarus still resist the Lukashenko regime and support Ukraine.

Tatjana, a 53-year-old former medical centre administrator, said that even after six years she hopes for change and attended the rally to remind others that "Lukashenko lost the 2020 elections."

"Today we continue the fight for a free, democratic Belarus. We are doing what the people in Belarus cannot. I left to escape criminal prosecution after being detained twice, in 2022 and 2024," she said.

Ilja Mironov, a 44-year-old logistics specialist from Gomel who was previously imprisoned in Belarus, also expressed belief in future political change.

"We all remember the Soviet Union - it collapsed literally in six months, and in 1990 no one could imagine it was possible. But that Soviet empire fell, and independent republics emerged, including the Baltic states and Belarus. So, everything can change in Belarus too," Mironov said.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Cichanouskaja, who moved from Vilnius to Warsaw this year, said in a statement released on Sunday that the struggle for democracy was not over.

"We are determined to finish what we started in 2020. I truly believe Belarus can become a success story - a story of transition from dictatorship to democracy. Today I ask you to support Belarus, fight for the release of political prisoners, keep pressure on the Lukashenko regime, and, of course, stand firmly with Ukraine," Cichanouskaja said.

According to the Migration Department, about 48,000 Belarusian citizens hold residence permits in Lithuania. Most arrived after the events of 2020, primarily as labour migrants.

Following the rally, participants marched to the Belarusian embassy, where they observed a minute of silence for victims of political repression and those killed fighting for Ukraine's freedom. The events concluded with an acoustic concert by Jurij Stylski, leader of the Belarusian rock band Dai Darogu!.

Mass protests erupted in Belarus in August 2020 after Lukashenko claimed victory in a presidential election widely viewed as rigged. The authorities responded with a crackdown, detaining approximately 65,000 people. Key opposition figures were either jailed or forced into exile, leading to Western sanctions against the regime.