Since early morning, citizens have been gathering at the obelisk on the site of the Bereza Kartuska concentration camp to pay tribute to the innocent victims of the policy of ethnocide against the Belarusian people. «Naturally, all residents of Bereza are familiar with the history of the so-called red barracks and the concentration camp. I first learned about it during my school years. Even today, we continue to uncover much about this history as new facts constantly come to light. It deeply moves the heart and soul that people suffered merely for the right to be called Belarusians, to preserve their ethnicity, culture, and native tongue. This is of immense value,» the woman noted.

Looking back at historical events, the resident of Bereza realizes that the nation’s path toward unity was fraught with great difficulty. «To be completely honest, we were virtually unaware of these nuances. Today, history is increasingly revealing such moments to us. Naturally, it is vital to understand all of this, to value our country, and to treasure our people, peace, the sun, and the clear sky. We must safeguard our land and our people,» she emphasized.

Zoya Tarasevich noted that Day of People’s Unity is a highly significant holiday for Belarusians. «17 September 1939 united our people and Belarus into a single entity. We are extremely happy and glad to live under a peaceful sky, and we take pride in our history and our country,» the Bereza resident stressed.

A concentration camp operated in Bereza in 1934-1939. People were imprisoned for dissent and opposition to the Polish authorities. Prisoners were subjected to harsh mistreatment and forced into hard labor. Not all managed to survive these severe ordeals. The concentration camp ceased to exist on 17 September 1939. Today, this location serves as a site of national remembrance.