On February 18 a presentation of the film "Ploscha" ("Square") by the well-known Belarusian filmmaker Yury Khaschavatski was held in St. Cyril of Turau Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY. The premiere was organized by Belarusian Youth Movement of America.

Before watching the film a letter from Zmiter Marchuk, who took part in the events during the elections in spring 2006 in Kalinovski Square, was read. Then the film was discussed and free DVD discs with the film “Ploscha” were distributed.

Zmiter Marchuk’s Letter:

The strongest impression Kalinovski Square made is the resolution of the young to fight for gaining the victory!

During the first night (Sunday 19 – Monday 20) it was clear that there was nothing to break those people. Even the snowstorm set on by the authorities when the square was full of people. In spite of the frost and light clothes, people decided to stay and stayed till the morning.

They were freezing trying to jump, sing, but they stayed. The desire to fight for the truth and justice warmed everyone. As the majority of the people officially observed the elections, fixed mass falsification during the elections and that’s why they came to fight for the truth, to abolish the criminal results of the vote. The youth was in the overwhelming majority, the young, who love Belarus and want to live in independent, democratic wealthy European country. The youth is more frank than the adults, who are tied of fighting with the dictatorship and are scared to loose their jobs. Luckily at work I took leave which I spent in the square and then in jail. University, college and high school students were not scared to be expelled from the universities and schools. Love to their Motherland and Truth turned out to be stronger than Fear. Some of them half asleep went to work and to school, and then they came back for the night. Some of them didn’t sleep several days and nights running. There were a lot of believers who prayed for Christ Kingdom of Light and Truth to come and defeat the Kingdom of Darkness and Lie as only God gives the strength to fight. One prayer impressed a lot just before the attack of the riot squads. A girl begged God to protect us; she prayed not to be beaten severely. During all days and all nights not only prayers for saving and deliverance of Belarus were said, but also religious services by priests of deferent faiths. That’s why God was with us!

A great impression was made by the fact that people from all over the city and Belarus drought food, blankets and clothes in spite of searches and arrests at the approaches to the camp. About 400 people were caught even before the night attack. I also went for food, clothes and footwear a couple of times for the students wearing light clothes. I even spent a lot, my wife looks after our infant child. I went round and round looking for the moment and a loop-hole to break through the gathered troops of the riot police. The tastiest food was white-red-white salted pork. At the same time there was a wide choice of expensive salami, sweets and juices. People didn’t grudge as it was their contribution to the mutual fight for Freedom and Truth. There was no vodka or wine even to warm as the majority was the true believers. I remember to get warm we had to dance a lot. I was all wet after the dances as I dances with several girls one after the other. If my wife had known, she wouldn’t have let me come home. There were a lot of Belarusian music and songs. We sang ourselves and using the equipment. I brought my favorite Belarusian CDs, but I lost all of them, as they together with the equipment were taken as a trophy by the “heroes of the regime”, riot policemen after the attack. I grudged having spent my time and having lost my CDs but there must be something to be sacrificed. The notebooks left in the tents were not even returned. Nobody knew the end was so close; we were planning to stay in the camp till the Victory. And still I was so glad and even happy when I realized that I have many adherents and sympathizers, not slaves; I was happy that we managed to defeat the Fear, to resist strong and lying Regime; that we felt the taste of Freedom, the strength in fighting for it and the Truth! Because we made a contribution to great History of Belarus and proved to be freedom-loving and courageous nation! Pray for us every day and we will win a Victory with God’s help!

Zmiter Marchuk
 

On June 27 a book telling about the events of March 19-25, 2006 in Mensk was presented in Internet. The book contains the chronics of mass protests, when in the center of Mensk a tent camp appeared in response to the electoral fraud. Thousands of young and old citizens and guests of Belarus protested against the dictatorship, they hoped for the changes and believed that Belarus would turn towards the democracy.

The first part of the book “Ploscha” (Square) consists of news reports, interviews, public-opinion polls, phone calls from the listeners received on radio and published on web-site svaboda.org when there was a camp in Kalinovski Square.

The second part “Turma” (Jail) tells about repressions against the participants. The book contains color photos from the place of the events.

You can download the book here (PDF, 2.25 MB)