Cittadinanza onoraria a Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, l'intervento dell'attivista bielorussa

Si è tenuta questo pomeriggio, nella sala del Consiglio comunale a Palazzo d'Accursio, la cerimonia di consegna della cittadinanza onoraria all'attivista bielorussa Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Al termine della cerimonia, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya ha firmato in sala Rossa il Libro d'Onore del Comune di Bologna con questa frase: "With huge gratitude I accept the honorary citizenship of Bologna on behalf of alla Belarussians who are bravely fighting against dictatorship for free and democratic Belarus. Thank you, Bologna, for standing strong with brave people in our fight for freedom and our common values!".

Di seguito, l'intervento di Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in sala del Consiglio.

"Dear friends, dear people of Bologna,
Thank you for this great honor. Becoming an honorary citizen of Bologna is not just about me. It is a sign of your support for all Belarusians. A gesture of solidarity that we deeply appreciate.
I want to thank the authorities of Bologna for this decision. It means a lot to our people, who are fighting for freedom. Belarus is going through dark times, but gestures like this give us hope.

This initiative came from the association “Belarusians in Bologna.” Дарагія землякі, your efforts make a difference. I also thank the People’s Embassy in Italy for their work. You keep Belarusian culture alive and help those who had to flee the country because of the political persecution. And who will never give up their dream to come back one day.

Last year, Bologna hosted two large exhibitions of Belarusian art. Art is a language of freedom, and you gave it a voice. Thank you for showing the beauty and strength of Belarusian creativity to the people of Emiglia-Romagna, which is one of the cradles of the Western art and culture.

Dear Italian friends, thank you for welcoming Belarusian political refugees. Here in Bologna, they found safety, dignity, and kindness.

As you all know, eighty years ago, Bologna was occupied by Nazis and fascists. The first troops to enter the city and bring liberation were from the Anders’ Army. The army was formed mostly of Polish citizens. Among them were many thousands of Belarusians from Western Belarus, which, in those times, was part of Poland. Our Belarusian soldiers fought for the freedom of Italy. Many never returned home and are buried here in Bologna.
They came to help Italians win their country back. They knew that freedom anywhere is worth defending.

Today, Belarus is at a turning point in its history. The dictator Lukashenka is selling our country to Russia. He has turned Belarus into a launchpad of aggression against Ukraine. But Belarusians are not giving up. They continue to fight against the oppressors.
Many Belarusians fight in Ukraine to defend freedom. They know that Ukraine’s victory means Belarus’s freedom. Already, 80 of them have given their lives for this cause.
Freedom is never just about one nation. When we defend Ukraine, we defend Belarus, and we defend Europe. Because Belarus is part of Europe, not of the so-called 'russkiy mir'.

Dear friends, Belarusians will never forget Italy’s support. Every act of your solidarity matters. Scholarships for Belarusian students will help our young generation to get European education in the world’s oldest university. Residencies for our artists will keep our culture alive in exile. And lighting buildings in our national colors shows the world that Belarus is not forgotten.

Together, we are stronger. Together, we will win.
Thank you, Bologna, for this honor. Thank you for standing with us!

Long live Italy, Zhyve Belarus!"