On this day four years ago, car horns blared in Belarus, playing the Soviet band Kino’s song “Peremen,” symbolizing hopes for change during the 2020 protests. Despite calls for change, Lukashenko’s regime held onto power after an inadequate response to the pandemic fueled dissent. Protests erupted after Lukashenko claimed victory in the election, leading to clashes with riot police.
The protests continued, with waves of demonstrations and arrests, culminating in the largest protest in Belarusian history on August 16. However, Lukashenko strengthened his grip on power, triggering mass migration and deepening ties with Russia, leading to complicity in the invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the crackdown, support for opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya led to the establishment of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus in Lithuania. The formation of the Kalinoŭski Regiment highlights a growing resistance within Belarusian expats.
Looking back, a lack of coordination among protesters and the absence of support from security forces hindered the 2020 protests. With another election looming in 2025, Belarusians may yet reignite their call for change, echoing the spirit of Yakub Kolas’ poem “Song of the Bells.”
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