Independence day in Belarus 

As we went round the corner the first thing I saw was giant green tanks all lined up in pairs. A little in front of the tanks were police in grey uniforms all kitted out with batons and guns. We walked up the streets passing people who had already chosen their spot to watch the parade. We found a little clearing along the rope and slinked in. Further up the road was rows and rows of soldiers, some in camouflage print and the officers in dark green uniforms with large hats. A lot of the officers had gold and red medals pinned to their chest. 

I regretted my knee length summer dress and trainers ( Alona also in a summer dress but hers was black because we have our own identities.) It was cold and there was a stiff wind and we were both dehydrated as you can't drink the water in Belarus. I heavily suggested that Alona should go get water and I would keep our space before the parade started. 

As Alona went off I looked around at the soldiers and the people in the crowd opposite me, they were all dressed in jeans and jackets. After a while I looked over to where Alona was getting water and as I caught a glimpse of her little bright green bag and all around her in a ‘queue’ was all army sergeants with medals. I felt intimidated for her! She walked back to me holding a big bottle of Fanta. 

‘I can’t speak Russian and all the officers were there and water is not voda in Russian. However Fanta is Fanta’ she told me.

As we had some fanta and the army band started. As the music filled the streets the crowd went silent and behind the band was a giant Belarussian flag that was carried by teenagers all with red t-shirts on and followed by this was a mixture of officers, soldiers and members of the public. They all walked quietly some had grey pictures of what I could only assume was lost loved ones who had fought in the past wars. All the pictures were framed some were held in the air, some were on poles high in the air and others were clutching the pictures to their chests. People kept walking past and there must have around one hundred if not more people walking with pictures in their hands. People of all ages from children around eight straight through to people in their seventies. 

As they descended into the distance past the rows and rows of saluting soldiers a command was given and the soldiers turned to there right facing straight down the road. Another command was given and the sergeant followed the flag bearer. The first ‘platoon’ of officers marched slightly behind them in complete unison. As they marched past the next ‘platoon’ followed, they were dressed in camouflage uniforms holding guns. It was hard not to notice that the young men must not have been older than twenty five, some even younger. 

It was clear from being in Belarus for almost a week that the country has a large police presence. There is officers are walking up and down the streets all day which I must admit made me feel very safe, as before getting here I was slightly apprehensive as everything I had read was rather scary but I think the term ‘dictator’ would cause anyone some fear.  

After the platoon of soldiers had marched past us, the roar of tanks came down the street. As the large terrifying tanks rolled past us with the young men in them saluting the flag that flew on the top of the hill. You could feel the power of the tanks as they thundered past us in pairs. 

After the tanks had rolled down the street everyone went to a nearby field where there were games and activities for everyone. Some of the activities included a table full of unloaded guns and army soldiers were showing people how to use them, this included children around the age of four. It is fair to say Alona and I were very taken aback by this as gun culture is almost nonexistent in Britain. As the four year old put the gun up to his eye and aimed then pulled the trigger I don’t know what was said but the boy looked pleased with himself. I was so shocked I just stood there watching this for a few minutes. What was happening! 

Once I was slightly over the shock we headed over to a small hill where lots of people were taking pictures. We walked over to trenches in the ground. There were children playing in the trenches shouting with glee, a bizarre contrast from the parade less than an hour ago.

After the trenches we walked over to the main area where there were two tanks parked with a soldier on top of each. The soldiers were helping the children onto the tank, as their parents passed them up the soldier swung them onto the top of the tank to have a look around.

Just past the tank was many other things to do such as laser tag and for some reason there was a huge massive queue for porridge. There was also singing women in traditional dress belting out some tunes we had a little boogie then we decided it was time to try to head home.

Then we realized we had no idea where we are and even if there was a sign we can't read Cyrillic. Alona tried to phone the taxi company but they had no idea what we wanted. As we walked along the road we decided we would ask someone to call a taxi for us as we had no other choice. Also as we are out of the EU we have no data on our phones. As I turned around Alona was half way towards an old police officer who was wearing a very well ironed uniform and had a gun and large baton around his waist. What was she doing?!

As I followed gingerly behind her she handed him the phone with it ringing to a taxi company. He spoke on the phone for a few minutes not one word we understood gave her back the phone then walked off. As the taxi arrived we clambered in and headed back to our ‘home’ slightly traumatised from the days events. https://youtu.be/S6lwRmZCt1s My sister made a wee video if you wanna have a look :)