Belarus — a Part of the European Solidarity Centre, of European Solidarity
- Admin of the NAM
- Nov 26
- 3 min read
"When I visit the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk, I think about Belarus. This was the place of Solidarity, of struggle, of protest, and of victory. I think about Belarus. And I want to say now: Belarus is not a black hole or a blot on the map of Europe. Belarus, represented by the Belarusian people, is a part of the European Solidarity Centre, of European solidarity", emphasized Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Prize laureate, during official events marking the 18th anniversary of the European Solidarity Centre at the site of the famous shipyard.
During the event, Pavel Latushka, on behalf of the Cabinet, presented Bazyl Kerski, Director of the Centre, with the United Transitional Cabinet award — the Medal "For Fruitful Work for Belarus". The award was presented in connection with Bazyl Kerski’s completion of his term as Director of the European Solidarity Centre.
Pavel Latushka noted that Kerski represents modern solidarity and has done a great deal for democratic Belarus and Belarusians living in Poland: campaigns such as "Solidarity with Belarus", Dignity Day, the "Long Live Belarus" exhibition, and the Kościuszko Forum under the patronage of the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Additionally, Pavel Latushka presented the former director with a gift — a Belarusian embroidered shirt — symbolically connecting his speech to the history of the 1967 performance in Sopot by one of Poland’s most famous singers, Czesław Niemen, who was born in Vasilishki, Grodno Region. During that famous performance, Czesław Niemen wore a Belarusian shirt.
"I remember 1989, what happened then in Gdańsk. In the 1990s, we thought a new Europe was emerging. Democracy and Solidarity would prevail. Then there was a turning point in the history of our country. Then the struggle of many Belarusians, and again the Belarusian uprising in 2020, and again a turning point. Some may say we lost. No. I disagree.
We have not lost, because Belarusians continue to fight. Thousands of political prisoners remain in Belarusian jails, every day — about which, unfortunately, very little is said in Europe — arrests, detentions, sentences continue. Lukashenka has deported at least 600,000 Belarusians. Belarusians continue to fight", emphasized Pavel Latushka.
The ceremony at the European Solidarity Centre was attended by former President of Poland Lech Wałęsa, Marshal of the Sejm Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Minister of Culture Marta Cieńkowska, Voivode of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Beata Rutkiewicz, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk, President of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, as well as ambassadors and diplomats accredited in Poland and Gdańsk.
During his visit to the city of Gdynia, Pavel Latushka, as a former ambassador, Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Prize laureate, and one of the representatives of Belarusian democratic forces, addressed the Polish public. This speech was organized by the Lech Wałęsa Institute as part of a special program of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform the Polish public about foreign policy and diplomacy. Bogdan Wałęsa, son of Lech Wałęsa, attended the speech. This was the second of Pavel Latushka’s meetings supported by the Polish MFA and the Lech Wałęsa Institute; the previous one was held in Olsztyn with the city’s community.
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