Nobel laureate and former president Lech Wałęsa, as well as human rights activist, former political prisoner, and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski were awarded medals. The ceremony took place during the second edition of the Kościuszko Forum, which is held at the European Solidarity Centre.
The Kościuszko Forum is an event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ECS. This year, the discussions at the forum focus on the theme «Culture is the Power of Democracy,» with Belarusian culture at the forefront.
Wałęsa was awarded the Cross of Good Neighborliness. This is one of the highest awards of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, granted for a special contribution to the development of relations between Belarus and other countries and for supporting democratic transformations in Belarus.
«For millions of people around the world, he is a symbol of the peaceful struggle for freedom. He showed that true strength lies in unity,» they said about Wałęsa during the ceremony.
However, Lech Wałęsa himself was not present at the ceremony. The award was received on his behalf by his son — Bogdan Wałęsa.
«I am not as good a speaker as my father, but I want to thank — on my own behalf and on behalf of my father — friends from Belarus for this special recognition. At the same time, this is a commitment for the future. I assure you, on behalf of my father, of our constant support for the struggle for a free Belarus,» said Bogdan Wałęsa.
The award — the «Solidarity and Human Rights» distinction from ECS — was also received by Ales Bialiatski, a Belarusian human rights activist, former political prisoner, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
«Receiving this distinction is a great honor for me, thank you,» said Bialiatski. «I know that when solidarity crosses national borders, it cannot be stopped. The Belarusian people want to continue the struggle; Belarus will surely be free!»
The Kościuszko Forum in Gdańsk will last until the evening. The program includes debates, roundtable meetings, and a dance performance.
