Belarus marked Independence Day (Photo)

• 28.07.2008, 8:14

The Belarusians marked the 18th anniversary of adopting of the Declaration on State Sovereignty by the Supreme Council of the BSSR. This day was proclaimed the Independence Day of Belarus. Solemn actions were held all over the country. National flags appeared in Minsk and other Belarusian cities.

Activists of the “European Belarus” civil campaign hung out Belarusian national white-red-white flags in Minsk and other region centers – Brest, Vitsebsk, Mahilou and Hrodna.

One of the mass actions took place in Minsk on 27 July. 18 national flags were hung out by Young Front activists in different parts of the city.

Activists of the “European Belarus” civil campaign hung out flags on poles, railroad bridges, bigboards, dwelling houses. It happened in the face of passers-by and car drivers, who expressed their support to activists of the campaign. White-red-white flags were seen to dwellers of the city districts Kurasoushchyna, Malinauka, Serabrabka, Paudnyovy Zakhad, Zyalyony Luh. National flags decorated all runs from Minsk.

On 26 July, ahead of Independence Day, organisation “The Young of the BPF” congratulated Minsk dwellers on the holiday. Young people gathered at noon on Victory square and moved along Independence Avenue to the circus, and then returned and walked up to Yakub Kolas square.

It should be reminded, that the authorities abolished this holiday after the referendum in 1996, according to which Alyaksandr Lukashenka has gained unlimited power. Independence Day is now celebrated on the day of liberation of Minsk from Nazis on 3 July. Democratic society continues to mark Independence Day on 27 July.