WE ARE TOGETHER FOREVER: ON THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REUNIFICATION OF WESTERN BELARUS AND THE BSSR
16.09.2024The 20th century was incredibly contradictory and paradoxical for Belarusians. Having walked along the edge of historical oblivion in the first half of the century, by its end Belarusians not only preserved themselves as a special ethnic group, but also created their own full-fledged state, which is worthily withstanding the geopolitical storms of the next, 21st century.
The number and scale of the trials that have befallen our people over the past 100 years cannot leave any objective outside observer indifferent. Two world wars and a civil war, three revolutions, the collapse of a large Soviet country, the most difficult 90s — this is the historical path of modern Belarus.
By not submitting to either Fate or History, Belarusians have once and for all ruled out the possibility of being defeated. Strong, self-respecting, knowing the value of independence and freedom, the Belarusian people today rightfully occupy a worthy place in the family of nations of the world.
The first step towards gaining genuine sovereignty and independence was the formation of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Belarus (SSRB) on January 1, 1919.
At the same time, part of the territory populated by 4.5 million Belarusians, according to the terms of the Riga Peace Treaty, concluded on March 18, 1921 without representatives of our country, went to Poland.
There were no reasons to justify the violent separation of Western Belarus from the BSSR. Moreover, the Riga Treaty laid the foundation for deep interstate contradictions and contributed to the further collapse of the security of the peoples of Europe.
Political shortsightedness, short-sightedness of the foreign policy of Polish politicians, combined with imperial ambitions, led to catastrophic consequences — the collapse of the Polish state.
Under these conditions, on September 17, 1939, the reunification of the Belarusian people took place. This decision was made at the People's Assembly of Western Belarus, the composition of which reflected the historically established social and national structure of the region's population. It was the People's Assembly that became a shining example for improving our modern political system. The Belarusian state received borders close to the natural limits of settlement of the Belarusian people over many centuries. The Belarusian territory almost doubled, and the population amounted to more than 10 million people. These lands were originally populated by Belarusians, were not disputed territories on the ethnic principle, were not conquered by our ancestors from neighboring peoples.
In the annexed territories, the national economy was revived and the standard of living of the population increased sharply. Thus, more than 1 million hectares of land were distributed to peasants. If in 1938 in the western regions of Belarus there were only about 80 hospitals, then at the end of 1940 there were 243 hospitals and maternity hospitals, 207 clinics and outpatient clinics.
By the end of the 1940s, unemployment and illiteracy among the adult population were eliminated. In the Brest region, 8 museums were opened, in the Grodno region — 12. Belarusian-language newspapers began to be published.
After the reunification in 1939, our national unity was tested for strength more than once. Belarus has come a long way, rising from the ashes of the Great Patriotic War, gaining independence and asserting its right to occupy a worthy place in the family of nations of the world.
In the 21st century, neither the pandemic, nor the attempt to organize a color rebellion, nor the predatory sanctions of the collective West broke us.
They did not break us because we were together.
The conditions for maintaining the unity of modern Belarusian society and state are: patriotism; consolidation of efforts and resources of the state, civil society institutions and citizens to implement and protect national interests; the readiness of a citizen to worthily fulfill his military duty, to defend the independence, territorial integrity and constitutional order of the Republic of Belarus; personal responsibility; constructive dialogue between citizens and the authorities; commitment to the traditional values of Belarusian society.
The Truth is on our side. And we are united in our desire to live on our land with our minds and labor.