Miroslav Lazovsky to be awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Rivne
On June 10, an exhibition "History of Belarusian Resistance" organized by the charitable foundation "Free Belarus" opened in Rivne. The exposition is dedicated to the struggle of Belarusians for freedom and independence, as well as the modern confrontation against Russian aggression and dictatorship, reports "Radio Racyja".
Oleksii Frantskevich, head of the public union "Belarusian Community of Ukraine", emphasized that the exhibition has not only historical significance but also provides an opportunity to tell Ukrainians about Belarusians and Belarus:
— There were professors, journalists by education, in the hall, asking questions: is there any journalism in Belarus today? Is it difficult for journalists today to do their work in Belarus under those conditions? They don't even know that there is no independent journalism in Belarus. Ukrainians don't know many things about us. Information is now spreading that an offensive is being prepared again from the territory of Belarus. This also concerns many people here.
Relatives of Miroslav Lazovsky
On the eve of the exhibition, representatives of the Belarusian community, together with Miroslav Lazovsky's relatives, installed a Belarusian white-red-white flag on his banner on the Alley of Glory in Rivne.
"The most important thing is that the nephew's son, who loves Miroslav very much, did this. It is very important for them. Lazovsky is a modern Belarusian national hero. A person who has done a lot for Belarus. He participated in almost all significant events," says Frantskevich.
The public union "Belarusian Community of Ukraine" also sent an appeal to the Rivne City Council regarding the awarding of Miroslav Lazovsky the title of Honorary Citizen of Rivne.
In addition, Belarusian activists are working on opening a representative office of the "Belarusian Community of Ukraine" in Rivne.
Miroslav Lazovsky, known by the call sign "Mouse", was born in Minsk on July 10, 1973. He graduated from the Belarusian National Technical University. In 1995, he joined the Belarusian Association of Servicemen. In the same year, he became one of the founders of the sports-patriotic organization "White Legion", which operated in Belarus until the early 2000s and was engaged in the upbringing and training of youth. He was a popularizer of Belarusian culture, collaborated with a publishing house, and participated in book fairs.
After the start of mass repressions in Belarus in late summer 2021, Miroslav moved to Ukraine. He died on May 16, 2023, while defending Bakhmut from Russian invaders.