The historical significance of the Day of National Unity was discussed at the Vitebsk Region Media Center
Two years ago, a new state holiday appeared in the country. It was designed not only to recall the events of 1939 and the importance of reuniting the West Belarusian lands with the BSSR, but also to help unite contemporary society, protecting it from external division. Therefore, September 17 has undoubtedly ceased to be just a date from a history textbook. It is also a reminder of today's realities, of a new level of our statehood.
The hall and 100 online studios were attended by heads of structural divisions of the regional executive committee, representatives of city and district executive committees and labor collectives, and students of higher education institutions of the Vitebsk region.
— This is the youngest state holiday, but it is truly important and in no way inferior to other significant dates, such as Victory Day, Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus.
And Igor Marzalyuk emphasized that this day is a colossal lesson and a colossal memory. The deputy and well-known historian thoroughly analyzed the inconsistency of the theses, which portray Western Belarus as prosperous, and attempt to turn the reunification of our country's territory in 1939 into aggressive actions. In reality, after the Treaty of Riga, most Belarusian national figures spoke out against the Polish occupation. Guerrilla anti-Polish struggle was waged in the western territories. And the policy pursued by the authorities – the destruction of Belarusian political parties, the closure of schools where one could study in the national language – did not contribute to positive sentiments among the local population at all. The targeted destruction of culture, language, and national identity was taking place – in essence, an attempt was made to completely assimilate and erase the ethnos. So the march of the Red Army into Western Belarus was truly liberating, no matter how some may argue otherwise.
