Belarusian newsletter "Nasha Niva"

Nadzeya Sychuhova an instructor of Southwestern College gave an open class to the college students at Southwestern College, Winfield, KS, a lecture dedicated to the 92nd anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic (BNR).  The event was held within the bounds of the course "Belarusian History and Culture". The subject matter and the date miracuously matched with the most important of the days in the Belarus of the 20th century.

Southwestern College. The white-red-white flag among the other official country flags

During the lecture American students heard about the creation of BNR (Belarusian Democratic Republic), its fortune as well as the existence of BNR government which still functions in immigration. The students were surprised that more than once they might have seen on the campus an elderly woman dressed in elegant grey clothing - Ivonka Survila who is an actual President of BNR`s government. She took part in various events organized by Center for Belarusian Studies.

Nadzeya Sychuhova is among American students  (forth from the right in the first row)

The stress was made on the determinative role of March 25 for future existence of free Belarus. Ms Nadzeya gave a lecture about actual shameful condition of this  holiday in Belarus and brutal methods that Belarusian authorities use during manifestations. To give an example she recounted her own experience while participating in the celebration of the Day of Will when she managed to avoid an arrest only because of her fast feet and unexpected piece of luck in the form of suddenly opened doors of the entrance. The story aroused a burst of emotions and indignation from students.

The lecture room was decorated with Belarusian national symbolics

The documentary by Uladzimir Arlou and Yuri Haschavatski "The Day of Freedom" was presented afterwards. The students merged into unfamiliar to their perception atmosphere of the First World War, the swirl of October Revolution and the conditions in which the independent BNR was proclaimed. They could see with their own eyes the way that the Day of Will is celebrated on the streets of modern Minsk.