Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya visited Vilnius University
On Thursday, the leader of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya visited Vilnius University (VU). During the visit VU rector Prof Rimvydas Petrauskas presented her with a symbolic declaration expressing support for Belarusian students who had suffered from the repression of their country’s regime.
“I am happy to welcome Belarusian political leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. My Belarusian fellow historians, who have experienced the consequences of the regime and who have been or are still detained, consider Svetlana as a representative of their nation and a guardian of the continuation of the Belarusian tradition of statehood. It is very important that Svetlana supported our idea of establishing the Grand Duchy of Lithuania scholarship for Belarusian students, and today I will sign a declaration symbolizing support for Svetlana and the entire Belarusian nation,” Prof R. Petrauskas said.
The declaration signed on behalf of the rector symbolizes the close relationship between the two nations, their culture and the history of VU. S. Tikhanovskaya expressed her appreciation for encouragement and support.
“Thank you for this initiative and support. The participation of young people in the events taking place in Belarus is very important. Naturally, in such circumstances, some of them have inevitably experienced or will experience certain threats or persecutions in their home country, and some students are deprived of the opportunity to study and are expelled from universities for resistance. This scholarship is very important because it will provide financial support to those who have suffered from the repression of the regime and will provide an opportunity to feel safe while studying at Vilnius University. I am sure that future students of your University will receive a qualified education and will be able to work for our country,” S. Tikhanovskaya pointed out.
By signing a symbolic declaration and presenting it to S. Tikhanovskaya VU once again wants to express support to neighbouring Belarus. In August, VU established the Grand Duchy of Lithuania scholarships in an attempt to express its solidarity with the Belarusian people and support the aspirations of the citizens of the neighbouring state. The scholarships are aimed at giving the most talented Belarusian students an opportunity to study free of charge and gain additional financial incentives.
A few weeks ago the Great Courtyard of VU hosted free film screenings and an extraordinary discussion with witnesses of the events in Belarus with the participation of sound directors Kirill Galanov and Vladislav Sokolovsky who have directly suffered at the hands of the Lukashenko regime. They were punished for ruining the governmental event in Minsk when they played the song “Peremen!”. This song was turned into the hymn of protests in Belarus.