|
|
SUPPORT US:
|
:: „All Souls’ Day” in Minsk
MK, www.nn.by, 2009-11-22
|
This year’s „All Souls’ Day” in Minsk proceeded as every year, quietly and appropriately, as one would expect a mourning ceremony to be. The organizers of the procession to Kurapaty prepared everything very efficiently.
- - -
On Sunday, 1 November 2009, a procession of hundreds of people with transparencies, national and party flags set off along the factory of Watches.
It passed through the streets of the capital and ended with a mourning meeting in Kurapaty. This year, as every year, some changes could be noticed.
The authorities also prepared for this event. One day before the celebrations started, an article about Kuropaty showed up in a pro-lukashenko newspaper „Soviet Belarus – Belarus Today”. The author, Pavel Yacubovich called upon to „stop the yearly spectacle”. The participants of the procession have lively commented on it: “Have you read the article?” – Yes, it’s nothing special. Why is everyone making such a fuss over it? He just thinks that it is him, who discovered Kurapaty and not Zenon Pazniak.
A surprise to everyone was the reaction of police and the special services. Instead of chasing people away, they stopped traffic. One could say that the cooperation was almost perfect, the procession proceeded without any obstacles.
People on the streets were curiously listening to the reminiscing of older participants of the procession. Many where wondering where and why are the people going and why are they carrying flags. The closer they got to Kurapaty, the more knowledgeable people joined „It’s because today is All Souls’ Day…”.
During the mourning celebrations, among the crosses and pine trees one could hear words of thanks to the youth, which was present in numerous numbers. Every year more and more young people participate in the procession. They are the ones who are changing the older generation.
transl. K.O.
|
|
|
« back
|
|
