No matter what year we were born, we were all thrown into the cult of the so-called victory over fascism in one way or another. Movies, music, popular culture – for years we kept being told the glossy story of the past. Facts were omitted in favor of continuing the Soviet narrative even after the collapse of the USSR. Attempts to understand what really happened to society during the war always ran into a huge impenetrable wall. The criminalization of everything that contradicts the perspectives of Lukashenko or Putin’s history became one of the foundations of the strengthening of the cult, which later turned into a “we can repeat”. Yes, many Belarusians today believe that peace is more important than war, but there are enough people in our society, treated with propaganda, who are ready to take up arms and go to kill for the Russian world.
Many have seen the cult of World War II victory for years as a celebration of victory over fascism, ignoring militarism and attempts to manipulate historical events. De facto parades, stories about the military might of the USSR and the insignificance of Western countries, and constant memories of those “glorious times” did not become a barrier to new wars, but rather created fertile ground for the growth of nationalism, imperial ambitions and militarism within not only Russia, but also Belarus. No matter how many times Lukashenko talks about peace in the region, he still continues to be a man of violence, ready to kill not only his own people for power, but also to fight in other countries if it benefits him.
The war in Ukraine should be a lesson in what this manipulation of history can lead to. If reality is covered by beautiful decorations depicting only myths about the war, sooner or later new generations will decide that it is necessary to repeat what is shown on these very decorations. Reasons for war will be found quickly, and often they do not even have to be logical. Putin’s speeches about Ukraine have no historical or political backing. But in the case of a high level of patriotism, a war can be started for any reason and people will go to die for their ruler. History knows enough examples of this.
Instead of the cult of war and victory, we need to look critically at all sides of what is going on and not forget that there is no beautiful and easy war in which some do only good and others are absolute evil. Nazism and fascism were a contagion that did not exist only in Italy or Germany. Just as today’s Russia was able to emerge from the mistakes of various political forces, including those on the world stage, in the same way Hitler’s Germany was a product not only of the Germans themselves, but also of the political systems of other countries. Including the Soviet Union, which, a few years before invading Poland, had successfully suppressed from within the republican resistance to the fascist Franco regime in Spain. From 1936 to 1939, Spain became a testing ground for the German and Italian militaries, who used their experience in later wars with other countries.
As for the slogan “never again” – that slogan means more than just state propaganda posters. In order to ensure that fascism and genocide never happen again, we need to give up the ideas of centralized power and strong leaders who will lead us into a brighter future. It is necessary for mankind to get rid not only of the Russian empire, but also of all the empires and states which are pitting people against each other in the struggle to preserve their own power. And to remember that even after the triumph of the peoples of Ukraine over the Russian leviathan, the struggle against authoritarianism and empire will not end! And we hope that when the anarchists burn down the palaces of the rulers, you will be with us on the streets of the cities in the struggle for a better and free future.
Against fascism, imperialism, the state and capitalism.
For a free and equal world!
Pramen
