7 more Belarusian citizens considered “Righteous Among the Nations”
More than 700 people have this title in our country.
Commemoration of Halacaust victims and awarding of five Belarusians, whose names were revealed only now,with the “Righteous Among the Nations” medals took place on May 5 in Minsk. The main organizer of this event, dedicated to the Day of catastrophe and heroism of European Jewish community was Israel's Embassy in Belarus.
Israel's Charge D'Affaires in Belarus Hanna Azari noted that this title used to provide a non-Jew with an opportunity to repatriate to Israel and gave the right for a citizenship and a small pension.
However, it is not like this now, as the righteous who saved Jews during the war, risking their lives, pass away, and their relatives collect the awards for them.
Hanna Azari : “The majority of the righteous were awarded dozens of years ago, in other parts of Europe. It is happening in the last 20 years in the post- Soviet countries because it was impossible to find such information before. Very often we give this award after the person died, like today. The righteous pass away. However, Israel thinks it is our holy obligation to think of everyone and not to let anyone remain unnoticed”.
This time it happened like this as well. Lidzia Vaukavets, Maria Martsulianis, Anastasia Halikevich, Jahau, Fiadora, Mikalaj and Volha Dzemavs, considered "Righteous Among Nations", passed away. Their children and relatives collected awards for them.
The awarding ceremony was short and discreet. Hanna Azari held a short speech, and then 6 memorial candles were lit by: Chairman of the union of Belarusian Jewish associations and communities Leanid Levin,
Chairman of the Belarusian civil associations of Jews - former prisoners of ghetto and Nazi concentration camps Mikhail Treystar,
Chairman of the civil association Belarusian union of Jews-disabled and veterans of guerilla and underground was Lev Sheitman,
Righteous Iryna Prostak on behalf of all "Righteous Among Nations",
Leader of the Israel cultural center's youth club Katsiaryna Rychahova
and Director of Israel cultural center on the premises of Israel's Embassy in Belarus Volha Paliashchuk.
Photo: Zmitser Lukashuk
