Toronto Belarusians Celebrated The Day Of Will
- 24.03.2026, 15:15
They were joined by Ukrainians, Canadians, Estonians and even representatives from Hong Kong.
The festive program in Canadian Toronto, as the organizers informed the site Charter97.org, began on March 21 with a rally of Belarusians in the Ukrainian quarter of the city - at the intersection of Bloor and Jane streets. Priest of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (BAPC), Priest Vyacheslav, read a prayer for Belarus.
The rally featured speeches by representatives of the BPR Rada and the Association of Belarusians of Canada. In their speeches they emphasized the continuity of the Belarusian state idea from the BNR to the present day, as well as the right of Belarusians to their own independent state.
"The position against the Russian imperial aggression against Ukraine and hybrid occupation of Belarus was clearly voiced, as well as solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the struggle for freedom. Special attention was paid to the responsibility of the diaspora - to remain the voice of Belarus, to support the struggle and preserve the national identity through language, historical memory and active actions," said the organizers.
Afterwards, the rally participants moved to the Belarusian Center. People carried white-red-white flags, as well as the flags of Canada and Ukraine.
The procession was held under the motto "For our and your freedom!" and was accompanied by slogans: "Zhyve Belarus! Live forever!", "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!". The same words of solidarity were also heard in English.
It should be noted that the rally and march was attended by a group of natives of Hong Kong - people who also fight for the preservation of democratic values in their native country. They chanted "Zhyve Belarus!" in Belarusian with a soft Chinese accent. Some of them played Ukrainian folk tunes on a dud.
Prior to the building of the Belarusian Center, the participants of the procession laid white-red-white flowers at the memorial plaque in honor of Kastus Akula, inaugurated on November 16, 2025 on the occasion of his centennial. Words of gratitude were spoken to our famous compatriot who stood at the origins of organized Belarusian life in Canada.
At 3:00 p.m. the ceremonial part began at the Belarusian Centre, where about 75 people gathered. President of the Ukrainian Veterans Association of Canada Andrei Sochanivsky, President of the Canadian NATO Association Robert Bains, Chairman of the Estonian Central Council in Canada Riit Maarten Sayre, representative of the Hong Kong community in Canada Lewis Wong
"After the official part there was a concert. There were touching performances by the groups "Jawarowy Ludzi" and "Jawarowy Dzieci" and solo performance of songs. At the end of the concert the participants enjoyed a buffet, friendly communication and warm meetings, which lasted until late in the evening. The last guests dispersed around nine o'clock," the Belarusians of Canada told Charter97.org.