Today, Belarus has lost one of its outstanding sons. On 11 August, at the age of 79, Aliaksandr Milinkevich – Belarusian politician, scholar and public figure, candidate for President of Belarus in 2006, and laureate of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought – passed away.
This is a great and painful loss for all of us – and for the whole of free Belarus.
For decades, Aliaksandr Milinkevich consistently worked for a democratic, independent and European Belarus. He believed in the strength of society, in human dignity, and in the certainty that Belarus would become free. In 2006, he became the united democratic forces’ candidate in the presidential election and was awarded the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for his work in defence of freedom and democracy.
Yet his legacy is not limited to political positions and awards. It lives on in the people he helped, the initiatives he supported, and the knowledge and ideas he shared.
For the Free Belarus Museum, preserving the memory of Aliaksandr Milinkevich is especially important. He was one of those whose work became part of the history of Belarus’s struggle for freedom.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, friends, and to everyone who knew and loved Aliaksandr Milinkevich.
He will forever remain part of the history of Belarus – and in our hearts.
May his memory be eternal.
Photo: Aliaksandr Milinkevich at the Free Belarus Museum, visiting the “Revision 30” exhibition, March 2024.
