Lithuanian president congratulates Belarusians on Freedom Day

VILNIUS - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Monday congratulated all Belarusians on Freedom Day, the presidential press service said.

He wished the neighboring nation to remain strong and united in the face of all challenges and to continue its fight for the freedom of their country without allowing their state to be exploited in military aggression against Ukraine.

"As your neighbors, we are closely following your courageous struggle for these common human values. Your determination and resilience inspire countless people and serve as a constant reminder to the entire international community of the importance of solidarity between peoples and of consistent support for those who seek their fundamental rights," the Lithuanian president said in his message of congratulation.

Lithuania actively supports Belarusian civil society and strives to contribute to making Belarusian voices heard in the international community, he pointed out.

On the occasion of Freedom Day, Belarusians living in Lithuania are organizing rallies, concerts, a car march with national flags on Sunday and Monday, and they also laid flowers at the Konstantinas Kalinauskas chapel at Rasos Cemetery.

In Belarus, Freedom Day is not officially celebrated on March 2. The Belarusian Democratic Republic was proclaimed on this day in 1918, but remained in existence until the Bolsheviks took power in early 1919.

The Lukashenko regime forbids the celebration of this day in Belarus and does not recognize it. In Belarus, Independence Day is celebrated on July 3 to mark the day in 1944 when Nazi German troops withdrew from Minsk and Soviet troops took it.