Commemorations of these events took place on August 20-23 in several cities in Canada. On August 20, the Central and Eastern European Council and the Ukrainian Congress organized a virtual discussion to commemorate Black Ribbon Day. Belarusian and Russian community representatives A. Sannikov ir V. Kara-Murza spoke about the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact as well as the current situation in Belarus and Russia where citizens are taking to the streets in the fight for democracy.
Scenes from the Black Ribbon Day/Baltic Way commemorations:
On August 23 in Ottawa‘s Confederation Square at the National War Memorial, the commemoration included speeches by Baltic and Polish Embassy representatives, community leaders and members. Since 2009, Black Ribbon Day has been held to honour the victims of Communism and Nazism.
The 31st anniversary of the Baltic Way was also remembered in Canada, with events in Toronto, Wasaga Beach and Vancouver. Participants joining hands with others remembered the human chain that joined the three Baltic countries in 1989. This year, the events also served to express solidarity with Belarusians fighting for democracy. Organizers were the Lithuanian Communities in Toronto and Vancouver, with many members of the Belarusian communities also attending.
The Lithuanian ambassador in Canada Darius Skusevičius expressed his thanks and pride in the Lithuanian Community in Canada for taking the lead and organizing the symbolic Baltic Way human chains, with support expressed for Belarusians and their struggle for freedom.
In Lithuania this year the Baltic Way extended from Cathedral Square in Vilnius to the Medininkai border post, in solidarity with the citizens of Belarus. There were 50,000 Lithuanians in the symbolic human chain last Sunday.
With news from the Lithuanian Embassy in Canada
Photos from the Lithuanian Embassy in Canada, the Lithuanian Community of Canada (Toronto) and the Lithuanian Community in British Columbia (Lina Holliday)
