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In Minsk, the soldiers rehearsed for the big day without masks
There will be no tanks, or parades of soldiers and veterans in the heart of Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of victory in World War II.
The Red Square parade on May 9 was canceled due to the pandemic. But in neighboring Belarus the parade will continue, with a concert in the center of the capital, Minsk, and festive fireworks.
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Belarus was devastated during the Nazi occupation and honors victims on May 9
Why does it keep going?
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko appears unmoved by the pandemic. It has not followed the European pattern of imposing radical restrictions.
Russia is still under lockdown, and for six days has registered more than 10,000 new Covid-19 infections daily.
And yet, Lukashenko refuses to cancel his military parade, as it has a patriotic purpose: to remind people of the difficulties and sacrifices of the Soviet era.
Speaking on the eve of the parade, he said: “They gave their lives so that we could live today, so we can honor our heroes on this holy day. We cannot do anything different.”
EPA
Just think what people will say [if we cancel the celebrations]. Maybe not right away, but in a day or two, they’ll say we freak out
Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, exercising authoritarian control over Belarus in a style reminiscent of the Soviet era.
The Nazi occupation in 1941-1944 devastated Belarus: approximately a quarter of the population died, including almost the entire Jewish population.
So, as in Russia, Victory Day is a deeply patriotic occasion for many citizens.
How has the coronavirus affected Belarus?
The Belarusian authorities have registered 21,101 cases of coronavirus, having carried out more than 240,000 tests. They say 121 people have died.
There is no regional information and journalists have not been allowed to interview doctors or see what is happening in hospitals.
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The extent of the region-by-region outbreak is unclear in Belarus
Stores, schools, and public transportation continue to function normally. But the health ministry has issued recommendations for Belarusians to stay away from crowded places, use hand sanitizers, and wear masks, especially if they belong to risk categories.
And the Belarusians themselves are aware of the dangers. Some companies have urged staff to work from home whenever possible. Some universities and colleges have reduced the number of students who travel in rush hour or have changed online classes.
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These veterans were honored by a military band that came to play outside their apartments in Minsk.
Many parents keep their children out of school. Belarus may have been the only European country that did not stop its soccer championship, but attendance has declined dramatically.
A delegation from the World Health Organization that visited in April expressed concern about the lack of measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The EU has promised Belarus € 60 million (£ 52 million; $ 64 million) to help fight the coronavirus, but only on condition that it complies with WHO guidelines.
What are the Russians doing?
In different circumstances, the 75th anniversary of Victory Day would also have been celebrated generously in Russia.
Instead, Russians have been told to stay home, and President Vladimir Putin will make a televised speech and place flowers on a war memorial.
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The air force has been rehearsing this week on Red Square
The Russian Air Force will fly over Red Square with 75 planes and helicopters, and a military parade has been promised later this year.
- Putin postpones WW2 victory parade due to virus
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he hoped that “the different methods employed by Russia and Belarus will not bring a sharp increase in the number of people infected.”
But those different methods have sparked a kind of dispute. Belarus accused a Russian television team of spreading false news about the coronavirus in Belarus and revoked the accreditation of Channel 1 correspondent Alexei Kruchinin and his cameraman.
Kruchinin has had to leave Belarus, denying the accusations against him.
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Large banners were displayed long before the victory parade was held in Moscow and it was only canceled in mid-April.
Russian epidemiologist Viktor Larichev has compared holding the parade to a party in the midst of a plague. “It is just stupid,” he said on Russian radio.
Who will be there?
Normally, veterans are given a place of honor, but President Lukashenko has said that no one has to join the Victory Day ceremonies that they don’t want to.
Very few veterans are still alive. Most are over ninety years old and very vulnerable to Covid-19.
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A concert stage and large screen have been erected in the center of Minsk with space for hundreds of people. Singer Alexander Solodukha has said that he will practice social estrangement when performing and that he will not shake hands or mix with other guests.
Lukashenko has invited international guests to join the celebrations, including some Russian MPs and politicians. Russia will not send an official delegation and anyone who goes will be there in a private capacity.
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Reuters
Belarusian soldiers rehearsed in Minsk on the eve of the parade
“I am concerned that we will freak out and hide in our dens. Belarus is a living monument to that war. And I believe that representatives of all states could be here today,” the president said.
Some reports suggest that students and staff at state universities and companies have been told that attendance is voluntary. And yet, there are also suggestions that students will receive text messages offering $ 4 for their stipend next month if they show up.
What do Belarusians think?
In Belarus, there is no shortage of criticism of the parade.
Stanislav Shushkevich, the first Belarusian leader after independence, condemned the idea as “not only ignorance, but a crime”, arguing that President Lukashenko was motivated by the desire to remain in power and by competition with Russia.
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The army has been helping to disinfect areas around hospitals in Minsk
The parade has also been criticized by former parliament speaker Mechislav Grib, who saw it as something different from Soviet attitudes during World War II, “when human life was not valued.”
Former Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir said: “In the United States they have no military parades at all and they are worse off? I don’t think so.”
The Belarusian leader has certainly stolen the show with the parade on Saturday, but no one else wanted it anyway.
