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Vilnius Hosts the Reburial of Kalinowski and the Rebels

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Vilnius Hosts the Reburial of Kalinowski and the Rebels

(updated) Leaders of the Belarusian opposition take part in the ceremony.

Today Vilnius hosts a solemn reburial of Kastus Kalinowski and his comrades-in-arms - participants of the national liberation uprising of 1863.

Thousands of Belarusians and leaders of the Belarusian opposition take part in the ceremony: Mikalai Statkevich, one of the leaders of the Belarusian National Congress and the chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party People's Hramada; Jauhen Afnahel, one of the leaders of the BNC; poet and politician Uladzimir Niakliayew, a co-founder of the European Belarus civil campaign.

Belsat TV channel and Radio Svaboda broadcast the ceremony online.

Charter97.org live text of the farewell to Kalinowski and the rebels of 1863:

17.35

The chapel at the Rasos Cemetery remains open to all those who wish to say farewell to Kalinouski's rebels. The official part of the ceremony is over.

17.25

The civil ceremony of farewell to Kalinouski and the rebels takes place in the chapel at the Rasos Cemetery.

17.23

The European Belarus activists chant slogans "Thank You, Litva," "Belarus And Lithuania Are Together," "For Our Freedom And Your Freedom". Lithuanian activists with the Lithuanian Pahonia welcome Belarusian activists with the Belarusian Pahonia.

17.13

The Presidents of Poland and Lithuania leave the cemetery.

16.33

The coffins with the remains of the rebels are taken to the chapel. Kalinouski and Sierakowski will be the first to be reburied.

16.29

Soldiers of the Guard of Honor take out the coffins of the rebels from the hearses.

16.01

The column comes up to the Sharp Gate. A 15-minute prayer service is held in the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn. It is conducted by Metropolitan Tadeush Kandrusievich.

15.48

Journalists say the number of the march participants is 10 thousand, most of them are Belarusians.

15.02

The coffins with the bodies of Kalinouski and the rebels are carried out of the cathedral.

14.55

The head of the BPR Rada, Ivonka Survilla, addressed the Belarusians with a special word: "Today we are witnesses of a great event. Finally, the heroes of the three peoples who gave their lives for our freedom and your freedom will be buried with dignity. Kalinouski became an inspiration for the Belarusian national liberation movement. "Who do you love? - I love Belarus," - this password gave impetus to the development of our modern nation and remains our motto to this day. Today, it is a great honor to bow to the heroes of the rebels who unite our peoples. All of them were patriots of their homeland, and their struggle led to the emergence of national states - Belarus, Lithuania and Poland. Their struggle has become an example to us. Even by killing the body, the enemies did not kill their souls, and they became an example for us. Now the sovereignty of Belarus is again under threat, but thanks to the belief in our truth, which Kalinouski so often remembered, we will win. Belarus will be a free democratic country, like its neighbors Poland and Lithuania. Eternal memory to the heroes!"

14.41

Deputy Prime Minister of the Lukashenka government Piatryshenka spoke after Andrzej Duda. His speech was met with shouts "Shame!"

14.23

Polish President Andrzej Duda says: "This place is important for our entire Central and Eastern European region. It is important that we are all together here - Poles, Lithuanians, Belarusians, Latvians, Ukrainians - descendants of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of Independent States. We are gathered here under the symbol of the White Eagle, Pahonia and Archangel Michael, which means historical Poland, Lithuania and Russia. Deeds of the rebels were directed against the despotic Russian empire, this was one of the last symphonies of the peoples of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. They rose to fight for our freedom and your freedom" - Andrzej Duda says these words in three languages, including Belarusian. "We pay tribute to the leaders of the uprising. They died on the gallows and were buried on Gediminas' Mountain. The Mountain of Gediminas, the ancestor of our people, was hiding their bodies. For our peoples, they are heroes of freedom. Today we are in Central Europe, and we will never agree to stop being free. We have been developing the memory of the uprising's heroes and live now in our national states. Today we pay tribute to the memory of the heroes of the uprising, who belonged to many peoples of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. At the funeral of one of the first executed rebels, a Polish Jew was carrying a wooden cross on his shoulders. Jews and Muslims fought side by side with Catholics and Orthodox. In the epoch of "Solidarnost" we raised an uprising against the tsar, remembering the ideals, when our ancestors fought for our freedom and your freedom. Today we meet here as representatives of free nations, what our ancestors dreamed of and for what they gave their lives for, we have it now. We now have the most important thing for every nation - sovereign states. And as they acted together, today we want to act together to ensure our development and security. We honor heroes not with thoughts about the past, but with thoughts about the future. The solidarity of the peoples of Central Europe is a guarantee of our independence and the development of our peoples".

14.14

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda speaks: "Whatever is done in the dark eventually comes to the light. And so Gediminas' Mountain revealed its secret to us. The example of Kalinouski's rebels, though they tried to hush it up, inspired the next generations of patriots to fight for independence. Finally, we see their bodies lifted from the nameless pit where the Russian authorities wanted to hide them. This reburial allows us to rethink the history of the 19th century. Our connection to the rebels has never been as strong as it is today. Their struggle, their ideas led to the emergence of modern states. Kalinouski led the Belarusians to fight, Sierakowski inspired the Lithuanian-speaking participants of the uprising. This gives an example and hope to all the nations that took part in the uprising. The insurgency's cry for freedom is still relevant today. There is pragmatic policy in the world, but there are also ideals. Despots brutally suppressed the uprising. Modern despots want to repeat this cycle. But as long as there is a desire for freedom, no despots can do anything to such people".

Nauseda called the death of the rebels a triumph, referring to the later emergence of independent national states.

14.09

Tadeush Kandrusievich speaks: "The rebels were representatives of different peoples and religions, but they all fought for freedom. Among them was Kalinouski, the son of the Belarusian people. Therefore, this event is of particular importance for Belarus. Kalinouski was the first to perceive the Belarusians as a separate political nation. Nothing unites us like bloodshed in the joint struggle for freedom. It is symbolic that the rebels are reburied in Vilnius, a city that unites Lithuanians, Poles and Belarusians. May their souls have eternal rest!" Tadeush Kandrusievich said with tears in his eyes.

13.00

The solemn mass in honor of the rebels begins in the Cathedral.

12.47

The President of Poland Andrzej Duda arrived to the cathedral with his wife and the official Polish delegation. Andrzej Duda is welcomed with applause.

12.46

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and his wife have arrived.

12.40

Former Lithuanian leaders Dalia Grybauskaitė, Valdas Adamkus, Vytautas Landsbergis and the famous Lithuanian poet Thomas Venclova arrived to the cathedral.

12.36

During the solemn ceremony in Vilnius Maksim Viniarski made a note in Facebook where he urged the Belarusians to be united: "Now here in Vilnius, it is felt as nowhere else, how much our ancestors gave for a single chance for their own, independent state. And all the more difficult it is to see our current fragmentation and disorganization, which is visible even here, where we only pay tribute to the memory. And what if we have to fight for independence in the most direct, immediate way? And this time is getting closer and closer".

12.32

The civic farewell is over and official delegations start arriving. An official delegation from Lithuania and Ukraine has arrived. Waiting for the arrival of the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland.

12.28

Kalinowski Uprising Researcher Yazep Janushkevich: "The Gedimina mountain has opened and we have observed the remains of Kalinowski. The standards show whom the Belarusians consider a national hero and whose holiday it is. I see that our future will be bright. It depends on us only when Belarus will show worthy respect for Kalinowski. In 50 or 150 years, no one will even ask who was president or prime minister of Belarus now. But Kalinowski will be remembered.

12.26

Journalists report that there are more than a thousand people with white-red-white flags near the cathedral.

12.20

Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz: "Today is an important day for Belarus, Lithuania and Poland. This is the sign that the slumping started on Gedimin Mountain and the remains of Kalinowski's rebels were found. We are all descendants of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The atmosphere encourages us to feel like we are descendants of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania again. A person aspires to be free. Kalinowski has proved this with his life.

"We must pray for those who died, who shed their blood for Belarus," the head of the Catholic Church in Belarus added.

12.19

Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz arrived in the cathedral.

12.16

A huge column of Belarusians under white-red-white flags approached the cathedral Gedimin Avenue.

12.11

Mikalai Statkevich: "Kalinowski is a safe main character for Belarus. He sacrificed his life at the age of 26 for our Motherland. What other evidence do we need? What other examples do we need? One cannot lie in front of the gallows, on the edge of eternity. He gave a new impetus to our "Belarusian matter". And now it's some kind of sky-sign: Kalinowski is facing the threat of losing independence and shows us the way - how to act and how to fight. As for the Belarusian officials at the ceremony, they just sent a minion".

12.10

Mikalai Statkevich and his colleagues from the People's Hramada party are present on the square.

12.06

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Aliaksandr Sapeha: "In my opinion, it has become a completely Belarusian event. The majority of us are here. I flew here from Switzerland for the whole day. I won't show my cards yet, but this year several more monuments to the national heroes of Belarus will appear".

12.00

Young girls from Belarus: "Even border guards envied us on the train when we were coming here. We are happy to be present at such an epochal event. There are so many Belarusians here. We hope that Kalinowski gymnasium will open in Belarus. We also hope that things happening here will become the first brick in the foundation of the new, independent Belarusian state," they said.

11.51

The first head of independent Belarus Stanislau Shushkevich: "To ignore this farewell ceremony means treason to one's homeland. And today's authorities in Belarus are so loyal to the Russian Federation that they did not come to say goodbye to the national hero. Parallels can be drawn between our time and the era of Kalinowski. Only then the viceroy from Russia ruled us, but the power we have is treasonable. This power is militant ignorance. But it is impossible to humiliate Kalinowski. Therefore, it is a shame on this power of traitors. I did not expect to see so many Belarusian national flags here. It means that Belarus will survive despite this power. Belarusians have survived in the worst conditions, and I am sure that the process will change direction, Belarusians will unite and defeat this power.

"Lukashenka has been in power longer than Brezhnev. Lukashenka will be laughed at just as Brezhnev was," Stanislau Shushkevich added.

11.44

Representatives of the European Belarus civil campaign, in particular, campaign coordinator Jauhen Afnahel, are present at the Cathedral Square. They bring their symbol - a flag with a white Pahonia on a red background.

11.38

Belarusians from Navahrudak: "Despite cold weather, the atmosphere here is incredible. If it had been Saturday, there would have been even more Belarusians. Kalinowski has always been considered our hero. One hero was Reagan, who ruined the USSR, and Kastus Kalinowski is another hero.

"The Greek poet Simonides of Ceos said that to be happy, one should have a glorious history of his land, so Kalinowski makes us happy," another person from Navahrudak says.

11.31

Yvonka Survilla: "I would have come here even without an official invitation. I came to salute our heroes. Kalinowski is the greatest hero in the history of Belarus. His example is inspiring. When I read his correspondence, I was so excited: there were no people who loved Belarus so much. He always was my hero. Belarusians of Vilnius received an official invitation for me and representatives of the BPR Rada. Today we will also present the BPR medals here. I would like to say that someday we will restore the Order of Kastus Kalinowski and award it to outstanding people,".

11.30

The head of the BPR Rada Ivonka Survilla arrived at the Cathedral.

11.25

Aliaksei Yanukevich, deputy chairman of the BPF party, holds a poster "Belarus appreciates its heroes". "Belarusians have arrived in Vilnius to show that Kalinowski and his rebels are our national heroes. This is the legacy we are building our future and will build our state.

11.23

Belarusian reenactors arrived to say goodbye to Kalinowski wearing historical costumes of kosiners of the uprising times.

11.17

Sergei Dubovets: "For the Belarusians, Kalinowski is the national hero №1, so there are so many of our flags here. This is a great event. Kalinowski is the heart of all Belarusians. He made us come together today. That's why representatives of all our parties and movements are here in our ancient capital. Kalinowski made it possible to identify who is a Belarusian and who is a pseudo-Belarusian.

11.16

There are hundreds of Belarusians with national flags on Cathedral Square. There are almost no other symbols.

11.13

The first head of independent Belarus Stanislau Shushkevich prays near the altar of the Cathedral.

11.12

Vladimir Orlov: "When Belarus is free and it is run by the national power, the Order of Kalinowski will revive as well, as well as a worthy monument to the national hero will rise in Minsk.

11.11

Belarusians arrived from Switzerland and the United States.

10.07

Viktor Trofimchuk from Miadel: "Kalinowski is not only a hero of Belarus but also an example of courage, sacrifice. Nowadays, Belarus lacks men like Kalinowski.

10.04

Vladimir Orlov: "There are only our flags near the cathedral. This shows that Belarusians consider Kalinowski as their national hero, as the first Belarusian politician who fought for his people. The uprising of 1863 was crucial for us. Without it, there would be no March 25, 1918; independent BPR, or August 25, 1990; modern independence".

11.00

Viktor Sazonov, a human rights defender and activist from Hrodna, arrived at the ceremony wearing a confederate. "This is a headdress for the rebels, so I use it. A full bus of people wearing confederates drives from Hrodna. Kalinowski's burial was secret. It indicates the scale of his personality and his significance for us. The enemies were afraid of him even after his death. Kalinowski was in advance of his time. He can be considered a man of a new era. With him, Belarusians felt like people and joined his detachments in large numbers," Viktor Sazonov says.

10.55

Young Belarusian: "Kalinowski was a father of modern Belarus, he formed our nation. People consider this man a hero. Therefore, we must be here. Belarus needs heroes like Kalinowski".

"Vilnius is a sacred city for Belarusians. Now there will be another pilgrimage destination for our people. It means that Vilnius has its place in our hearts," the young man added.

10.51

Anatoly Fedorov from Minsk: "The Lithuanian authorities organized a wonderful holiday for Belarusians. We must be present on it. Many more thousands of Belarusians stand on the border. Belarusian from Babruisk: "Our authorities could not organize such an event".

10.49

Belarusian sculptor Genik Loiko stands with a poster near the cathedral. Kalinowski's words are written on the poster: "Belarusian people, you will live happy only when there is no Russkie over you".

10.46

Uladzimir Khilmanovich, one of the organizers of Kalinowski's celebration in Svislochi: "It is very important to bring from here the spirit of our rebels to Belarus".

10.40

Historian Ales Smolenchuk: "There was a sensation, which is of great importance for the Belarusians".

10.37

"The atmosphere is exciting. It is very important that there is someone to honour the memory of our national heroes," the Belarusian, who stands near the cathedral with a flag in her hand, says.

10.34

Writer Vladimir Klimkovich: "I considered Kalinowski a hero since childhood". "It's vital for me to be present at Kalinowski's reburial," a Minsk resident who just arrived by bus says.

10.32

"I am very happy to be here and meet people like Stanislau Shushkevich and Uladzimir Nyaklyayew. This event proves that we haven't failed. The best is yet to come," Alena from Minsk says.

10.30

Writer Vladimir Orlov reads the names of Kalinowski's uprising and mentions their role in it.

10.29

A bus with students arrived from the Yakub Kolas Humanitarian Lyceum.

10.26

Journalists note that Belarusians expressed the greatest attention to the ceremony. Thousands of people came to honour the memory of rebels.

10.25

Belarusian artist Ales Marochkin could not stifle tears at the farewell ceremony to Kalinowski and the rebels.

10.24

Famous Belarusians - Vladimir Orlov, Lyavon Barshcheuski and others bid farewell to Kalinowski.

10.20

Pavel Seviarynets arrived to bid farewell to Kalinowski. The politician arrived by car and told about the hype at the checkpoint Kamenny Loh. Thousands of Belarusians stand in queues for 4 hours. Pavel Seviarynets called the discovery of the remains of Kalinowski and his comrades-in-arms "a sign from God. "You can feel the Belarusian history when standing on this square. You feel unity with heroes, rebels and heroic priests," the politician said.

10.17

Journalists note that the ceremony looks like a Belarusian one: the major part of flags are our national flags.

10.08

One of the BNC leaders, poet and politician Uladzimir Niakliayeu prays in the cathedral. Hundreds of Belarusians say farewell to Kalinouski and his comrades-in-arms.

10.06

Historian Ales Smalianchuk: "Today there is a real Belarusian holiday in Vilnius".

10.03

Hundreds of people with white-red-white flags are on the Cathedral Square. There are a lot of young people. The Belarusian delegation is the most massive.

10.00

The civil ceremony of paying last respects to Kalinouski and the rebels officially began.

9.55

The last coffins with the rebels are being placed in the cathedral near the altar. The ceremony is attended by representatives of the Belarusian opposition - flags of various parties can be seen.

9.50

There are already more than a hundred Belarusians with flags in the cathedral.

9.48

Belarusian flags dominate on Cathedral Square. The coffins are placed near the altar in the cathedral. The farewell ceremony will be conducted by 3 bishops from Belarus, including Tadeush Kandrusievich.

9.47

New groups of Belarusians with national flags will appear on the square.

9.46

The coffins with the rebels are brought to the cathedral. An organ is playing. The Belarusians enter the Cathedral.

9.44

The coffins with the rebels are carried to the entrance to the Cathedral of St. Stanislav.

9.41

The Lithuanian military tordeously carry coffins with Zygmunt Sierakowski, Kastus Kalinouski and 18 other rebels to the cathedral.

9.38

The columns of Belarusians under national flags run along the Cathedral Square in Vilnius one by one. Journalists note that the Belarusians are now the most numerous and organized in the square.

9.35

The bells in honor of Kalinouski and the rebels ring in the Cathedral.

9.30

Dozens of people with white-red-white flags gathered near the Cathedral in Vilnius.

Journalists report that the Belarusians of Vilnius have prepared hundreds of national flags for their compatriots.

Journalists also report that a huge number of people are going to Lithuania who tell the border guards about the purpose of the visit: to participate in the ceremony of farewell with Kalinouski.

8.05

Belarusians travel in mass by train to Vilnius for the ceremony of farewell with Kalinouski and the heroes of the 1863 uprising. The portal has published a report from the train.

8.00

Soldiers of the guard of honor of Lithuania and Poland have conducted a rehearsal of farewell to Kalinowski. The training took place at Staryje Rosy in Vilnius.

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