Every Belarusian remembers the year of 2020 in his own way. Although most independent journalists and photographers had to pass severe endurance tests, it was also the time of hope and joy, because we were lucky to witness the birth of the Belarusian nation.
In our photo pick, one can find 25 pictures in which some fateful moments of the Belarusian history are captured.
Long lines to polling stations in Belarus and abroad. Minsk, 9 August 2020.
Photo: Belsat
According to exit polls conducted by Belarusian authoritiess, Alyaksandr Lukashenka got 79.7% of votes, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya – 6.8%. People wait for official results near polling station. Minsk, 9 August 2020.
Photo: Belsat
At about 20.30, metro stations Lenin Square, Kastrychnitskaya, Kupalauskaya, Nyamiha, Maladzyozhnaya, Frunzenskaya are closed. Minsk, 9 August 2020.
Photo: Belsat
Belarusians take to streets, protesting against falsification of 2020 presidential election. City centre is cordoned off by military, peaceful protesters are brutally dispersed. Minskers are not allowed to gather near Minsk Hero City stele. Lots of people are detained in Victors’ Avenue. People are severely beaten, among the detainees there are wounded persons. Minsk, 9 August 2020.
Photo: Belsat
Day after election, Belarusians resume protesting. There is almost no communication in country again, the Internet is down. In photo: Barricades near Riga store. Minsk, 10 August 2020. Alisa Hanchar / Belsat
Tens of thousands of people participate in Partisans’ Avenue. Minsk, 18 October 2020.
Photo: Belsat
Soldiers show V-signs of victory to women standing in the solidarity chain. After fierce confrontation between security forces and demonstrators on August 9-12, human chains appear in almost every city and town. People protest against police abuse and brutality. Minsk, 13 August 2020.
Photo: Belsat
Beaten protester. Мinsk, 13 August 2020.
Photo: Belsat
‘Lukashenka Is Our President’. Pro-govt rally takes place in front of Kamarouski market. On same day, Lukashenka states that those who do not share principles of state ideology must not teach in Belarusian schools. Minsk, 25 August 2020.
Photo: DD / Belsat
In his speech, Health Minister Uladzimir Karanik states that two persons were killed and more than 150 were injured during the post-election rallies in Belarus. However, people chant ‘Murderer’ and do not let him out of the crowd. Minsk, 17 August 2020.
Photo: Alisa Hanchar / Belsat
Rally in support of Alyaksandr Lukashenka is held in Independence Square. Police and special equipment appear in vicinity of Government House several hours before its start. In photo: Mikalai Lukashenka and bodyguards. Minsk, 16 August 2020.
Photo: Alisa Hanchar / Belsat
Another Women’s March takes place in Belarusian capital city. Women gather every Saturday, holding flowers and posters. As of 11 pm, according to HRC Viasna, 361 people were detained, mostly women. Minsk, 19 September 2020.
Photo: Alisa Hanchar / Belsat
During Peace and Independence March in Minsk, thousands of people ironically extend birthday greetings to ‘so-called president’. On this day, Alyaksandr Lukashenka turns 66. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: Alisa Hanchar / Belsat
During Peace and Independence March, downtown is blocked by security forces in several places, targeted detentions happen. There are fences, barbed wire, lots of military at Minsk Hero Ciry Stele. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: Alisa Hanchar / Belsat
29th day of peaceful pickets. Belarusians stand in chains of solidarity, stage marches and pickets. In photo: Unity March participant. Minsk, 6 September 2020.
Photo: Belsat
During Peace and Independence March in Minsk, thousands of people ironically extend birthday greetings to ‘so-called president’. On this day, Alyaksandr Lukashenka turns 66. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: Alisa Hanchar / Belsat
Relatives and friends say last goodbye to Mikita Kryutsou, who was found hanged in forest in Minsk. Although he disappeared during first days of crackdown on protests, the Belarusian Investigative Committee insists that his death is not criminal; family questions their version. Maladzechno, 25 August 2020.
Photo: Belsat
Boots of Democracy March participants who hide from police during dispersal. Central streets are cordoned off, water cannons and armoured vehicles are spotted on streets. Minsk, 8 November 2020.
Photo: Belsat
71st day of protests. According to human rights activists, almost 15,000 people have been detained in Belarus since the beginning of the election, many of them were beaten, some were raped, and at least six people were killed. Criminal proceedings have been instituted against 350 people. Minsk, 18 October 2020.
Photo: Belsat
March against Terror is dedicated to Day of Remembrance of Victims of Stalinist Repressions. Number of detainees reaches 140 on that day. Minsk, 1 November 2020.
Photo: Belsat
Opposition activist Maryia Kalesnikava makes speech. Minsk, 30 August 2020.
Photo: Vot Tak TV / Belsat
March of People’s Inauguration as response to Lukashenka’s holding sworn-in сeremony in secrecy. Мinsk, 27 September 2020.
Photo: Alisa Hanchar / Belsat
March for Freedom becomes most massive peaceful march of those who do not accept results of 2020 presidential election. By various estimates, there are between 200,000 – 400,000 people on streets on that day. Minsk, 16 August 2020.
Photo: Vot Tak TV / Belsat
Last farewell to Minsk protester Raman Bandarenka in Church of Resurrection of Christ. Bandarenka was abducted from improvised Square of Change in Minsk and beaten to death. Minsk, 20 November 2020.
Photo: Belsat
Minskers seein in New Year 2021 in one of capital city’s yards. In photo: Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address to Belarusians. Minsk, 31 December 2020
Photo: Belsat
