BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
31/03/2008
Gathering marks 90th anniversary of Belarus freedom
NEW BRUNSWICK - It was a sea of red and white at the Hyatt Regency as Belarusan Americans, dressed in national garb, convened to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Belarusan independence on Sunday.
"For some reason the two colors red and white were used for the national dress from time immemorial," said Vital Zazka, president of the Belarusan American Association in New York.
Gov. Jon S. Corzine had proclaimed March 25 as Belarusan Independence Day in New Jersey.
It was on that day 90 years ago that Belarus was proclaimed an independent and democratic nation by the Rada of the Belarusan National Republic.
"It is particularly important because the Republic of Belarus has outlawed the observance of Belarusan independence in Belarus," said George Azarko, president of the Belarusan American Association in New Jersey.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus once more declared its independence; however, since 1996, Belarus' democratically adopted constitution has been usurped by Alexander Lukashenka, who has ushered in a de facto one-man dictatorship, Azarko said.
The commemorative program featured guest speakers including the president of the Belarusan government-in-exile, Ivonka Survilla of Toronto, Canada; a concert featuring the Kazak Belarus Folk Ensemble, and an art exhibit featuring works by Belarusan artists.
"Ninety years after the proclamation of independence, we are still not free, that is one way of looking at it," Survilla said.
She explained how in 1918, the Belarusan people came together and created a civil administration, and many other attributes of a free state, except an army, and proclaimed independence from the Russians.
"It is our ardent desire to see Belarus a truly free and independent nation, and it is hoped that by this time next year tyranny in Belarus will be defeated," Azarko said.
Source:
http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080331/NEWS01/803310373/1001
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