The head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, congratulated the chair of the Council of the Belarusian People’s Republic, Ivonka Survilla, on her 90th birthday. They spoke via video link, the Office of the democratic leader reported.
Tsikhanouskaya thanked Survilla for her many years of work for the benefit of Belarus and Belarusians, noted the historical role of the BNR Council, and also congratulated her on the release of her memoir “At Eight Years Old, I Was at War”. During the conversation, they discussed the situation in Belarus and globally, as well as the need to keep Belarus on the international agenda.
“You have devoted your entire life to Belarus. Wherever you have been and whatever roles you have held, you have always worked for the benefit of our beloved homeland. You raised the Belarusian issue in high offices, helped Belarusians in exile, and supported children after the Chernobyl tragedy. You unite all Belarusians — those in emigration and those who remained at home,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
“But what impresses me most is your humanity, your warmth and empathy. I fondly remember every meeting and conversation we have had. With you, it is easy and calm, as if speaking with a close person who understands without unnecessary words. Your advice helped me greatly at the very beginning of my political path, and I often return to it. Thank you for what you do, thank you for your strength of spirit and for the love of Belarus that you carry throughout your life,” she added.
Ivonka Survilla was born on April 11, 1936, in Stoŭbtsy. In 1944, she emigrated with her family. She studied at the Higher School of Fine Arts in Paris and graduated from the linguistics department of the Sorbonne. She has lived in France, Denmark and Spain, and currently resides in Canada.
For many years, she has been engaged in public activities: she headed the Belarusian Institute of Arts and Sciences in Canada and led the Coordinating Committee of Belarusians in Canada. Together with representatives of the diaspora, she founded a foundation to help victims of the Chernobyl disaster, which organised the delivery of three aircraft with medicines and medical equipment to Belarus and hosted thousands of Belarusian children from affected regions for treatment and rehabilitation in Canada.
For a quarter of a century, Survilla has headed the BNR Council, becoming its seventh leader. For her contribution to the democratisation of Belarus, she was awarded the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal.