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It is necessary to include Belarus
The idea for the Lithuanian, Polish, Ukrainian and Belarusian Intellectuals Forum “Lublin Four: Idea and Reality (marking the 20th anniversary of Jerzy Giedroyc’s death)” originated more than a year ago. This summer, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland spoke in Lublin about the possibility of establishing the Lublin triangle, but, according to A. Nikžentaitis, it is necessary to include Belarus as well.
“Looking at what is happening in Belarus, seeing that a nation whose voice has not been heard has begun to speak, we already have to think not on this day, but on the long-term perspective. This forum is also dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the death of J. Giedroyc, here his famous ULB concept (Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus – Past ed.), in which he says that the existence of Poland without democratic and free Ukraine, Lithuania and Belarus is in danger.
We can say the same for Lithuania and therefore the goal of creating the Lublin Quartet, which is even more a vision at the moment, is our long-term task and we must always think about how to implement this task, ”said the director. from the Lithuanian Institute of History and J. Giedroyc. and A. Nikžentaitis, Chairman of the Board of the Dialogue Forum.
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / Alvydas Nikžentaitis
Therefore, according to A. Nikžentaitis, the forum is dedicated not only to commemorate the anniversary of the death of the famous Polish intellectual, whose family is from Lithuania, Kultūra magazine, but also to an attempt to implement and further develop the ideas of J. Giedroyc, of which he spoke all his life: This is, first of all, support for the independence of Ukraine and Belarus, strengthening the aspirations of statehood. And it’s not just the political dimension, it’s the mental one. J. Giedroycas spoke about the problem of historical imperialism, when states and nations become opposites and due to different valuations of the past.
As a result, there are two very clear parts in this forum: one more political, political, to discuss current issues in the region and relations with Russia. The other is historical in terms of the extent to which past interpretations contribute to the development of good neighborly relations and to what extent they have become a major problem. “
He sought moral authorities
The forum has two very clear parts: a more political one, to discuss current issues in the region. The other is historical.
When asked about the forum participants, A. Nikžentaitis emphasized that from a long-term perspective, political relations cannot be left to politicians alone: politicians are changing, they may not communicate with each other . Therefore, it is necessary to involve in the dialogue the leaders of society who, regardless of the size of the country, are well aware of what is happening in that country and are the authorities of that society.
“The participants were selected based on their specific leadership positions in the region. We thought for a long time to name this forum, we call it the banal name of the intellectual forum, but here we are talking about certain leaders who can help, be mediators by speaking with Ukrainians, Poles, Belarusians.
Even in the section where we will talk about the complex problems of the past, there is probably a second person among the speakers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: Evstratius Zoria, who is an authority. We need to understand that when things from the past become part of identity, historians alone are unable to control those issues. We need to speak to certain moral authorities here. Its 21st century. it is decreasing, but we must try to find them, ”said A. Nikžentaitis.
Belarusian participants fell from 20 to 5
He acknowledged that unfortunately not all the people that the organizers wanted to see at the forum would be able to attend: “During the organization of the forum, it became clear that Belarusians working in state structures were talking about science institutes, universities very clearly, that they would not have to go to Lithuania. There was such kind of insurance. On the other hand, we also have people in this situation commenting on the events in Belarus, there are well-known commentators, but some of them are currently physically in Lithuania. “
Reuters / Photo by Scanpix / Thousands of protesters take to the streets of Minsk
Many more participants were expected than expected from neighboring Belarus. The organizers admit that they will only be able to say the exact names of all participants when they are already in Vilnius.
“Given the current situation, various adjustments have been made to the program, both due to the spread of the virus and the events in Belarus. A group of about 20 people was scheduled to come from Belarus, but it was reduced to five. We cannot guarantee that they can go until the last minute until those people are here One of the participants was arrested during the demonstrations on Sunday, on Tuesday we found out that he is free, he is going to attend, he does not abandon this idea.
Another thing I have heard from colleagues in Belarus, whom I hope to see here in Vilnius, is that they see this forum as an expression of solidarity with them and they are not wrong in the broadest sense of the word, ”said A. Nikžentaitis.
A group of about 20 people was scheduled to come from Belarus, but it was reduced to five.
The presidency has blacklisted him
The presidency, where the forum will take place, also presented its surprises. According to A. Nikžentaitis, the connection and cooperation of various institutions is very important for such an event.
“The presidency should have been a kind of sign that in this case there is a community of politicians and public initiatives. But let’s not hide that we have had some surprises in the organization of this forum, and we see that sometimes it is very difficult for politicians realize that certain goals can only be achieved by involving the best and most appropriate people in these processes, especially since they are incorporated for free. And don’t try to introduce censorship. In this sense, I think we have a lot to learn and, above all, learn to communicate without censorship, “said A. Nikžentaitis diplomatically.
When asked to clarify whether he meant that the presidency did not want one of the forum sessions to be moderated by the journalist, policy reviewer Rimvydas Valatka confirmed this.
Photo by Luke April / 15 minutes / Rimvydas Valatka
“Yes, we are talking about the absence of Rimvydas Valatka. This” blacklist “also included Vytautas Bruveris, who has been working on this idea from the beginning and despite all these inappropriate actions, continues to actively work and begins to put in practice the objectives of the forum. We will probably talk more about these things at the end of the forum, but as these negative aspects became clear in the final phase of the forum, we could not simply convey the expectations of our colleagues abroad and we did not take any steps cardinal.
But in Lithuania we still have a lot to discuss and reflect on the relationship between active citizens in general and power ”, the professor is convinced.
Yes, we are talking about the absence of R. Valatka. V. Bruveris, who has been working on this idea since the beginning, was also included in this “blacklist of people”.
Moved in COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic also made its adjustments in the organization of the forum, which not only caused difficulties in the organization of the trips of the participants, but also dropped at least one participant. According to A. Nikžentaitis, all participants who come must take a coronavirus test and obtain a negative result: come. “
When asked if perhaps the forum should be postponed or organized in such a way that participants could participate remotely, A. Nikžentaitis highlighted the importance of live communication: remotely with those people. We communicate with them remotely on a daily basis. I just need a physical meeting, some informal conversations. Finally, there is a need for exchanges, for regional leaders to get to know each other, not just to read what is being written or listen to recorded languages.
This forum was scheduled for the end of August, we postponed it for a month in the hope that the virus situation would improve and we could run the program almost optimally. But the situation is getting worse. “
According to the teacher, such conversations and discussions should become regular. Therefore, before the forum, historians from the four countries intend to sit down and discuss the creation of a joint quadripartite commission of historians. “Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and Belarus: these four countries have a long common history, but we also have common problems arising from that history. For this reason alone, the establishment of such a commission is desirable,” said A. Nikžentaitis.
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