There are dates that never die. On March 25, 1918, in German-occupied Minsk, in a hall on Serpukhovskaya Street, the hands of Rada Chairman Janka Sierada trembled. He knew exactly what he was signing — the Third Constituent Charter, by which Belarus, for the first time in its history, proclaimed itself a free and independent state.

The Belarusian People’s Republic (BPR) did not last long. The Bolsheviks returned, borders were sealed, and the flag was taken down. But the word had been spoken. And once the word of freedom has been uttered, it can never be silenced.

For decades, the Belarusian intelligentsia celebrated this day in secret — in art studios, at dachas, and in the forests. In 1989, student Aleś Puškin stepped onto Lenin Avenue with a placard and 71 balloons — one for each year since the proclamation of the BPR. He was arrested. But the following year, more people came. And then even more..

Today in Belarus itself, marking this day is dangerous. Displaying the white-red-white flag can lead to arrest. Saying “Long Live Belarus” can mean prison. That is precisely why the diaspora around the world — in Vilnius, Warsaw, New York, and Miami — takes to the streets and lights the flame.

Because as long as even one Belarusian remembers March 25, Belarus remains free — at least in their heart.

We congratulate all Belarusians — both in Belarus and around the world. Those who remember.