Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 4 December (BelTA) – The first All-Belarusian Congress of 1917 was a momentous event for Belarus’ history and statehood, Director of the Institute of History of Belarus’ National Academy of Sciences Vyacheslav Danilovich told BelTA.

The first All-Belarusian Congress adopted the decisions on Belarus’ self-determination in accordance with the Declaration of the Rights of the Peoples of Russia promulgated by the Bolshevik government on 15 November 1917. “The congress was a momentous event for the Belarusian history and the history of the Belarusian statehood,” Vyacheslav Danilovich underlined.

The Belarusian People’s Republic, declared by the Rada (Council) of the All-Belarusian Congress, was a failed attempt to create a state. “Nevertheless, it was a practical attempt to put the idea of Belarus’ national statehood into practice. The matter was brought to the top of the agenda, and the Belarusian Soviet statehood was declared. These events are interrelated and cannot be considered separately. They make part of the same way towards the realization of the right of Belarusians to self-determination,” the scientist stressed.

Vyacheslav Danilovich added that the year 1917 was filled with the events of utmost importance for Belarus. He believes that scientists should analyze these events, the personalities and in general this period, just like the whole historical past of the country, from the standpoint of importance for the Belarusian nation.