People according to Stepán Popov share a close bond, similar to that between Ukrainians and Poles.
In the heart of Poland, the city of Wroclaw played host to the second edition of the "Brotherhood of Freedom" festival on August 30. The event, organised by Stepan Popov, Natalia Khatsko, Varvara Popova, and the "Wroclaw Belarusians' Community", aimed to unite Belarusians and Ukrainians in Poland through a blend of sports and culture.
The festival featured a variety of sports, including volleyball, and music events. Notable performers at the concert included Pit Pavlov, Alena, Mikhail Zuy, and Ukrainian groups. Some of the celebrity guests included Father Vyacheslav Barok, Grigory Astapenya, Lisa Prokopchik, Ivan Ganin, Mikhail Zalesky, Svyatoslav Kiselev, Yevgeny Verekha, and Andrey Savchenko.
Each team at the festival consisted of five players, with an additional invited celebrity guest. The tournament-like atmosphere saw teams compete in a professional setting. The goal was to create a self-financing community for Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Poles, focusing on building a strong community and helping each other.
The festival had a new format this year, with teams competing in a professional tournament-like atmosphere. The sports part of the festival was followed by a concert. Parallel to the volleyball games, various activities such as car demonstrations, fitness classes, martial arts demonstrations, and masterclasses for children were held.
In the finale, deputy Mikhail Yarosh joined the festival, openly supporting Belarus and its strive for freedom. The organisation of the festival was clear, with all schedules, tables, and teams well-managed. An idea for future events is to create a calendar of systematic events, potentially growing the volleyball tournaments into the "Brotherhood of Freedom" league.
The goal of the festival is not just to unite Belarusians and Ukrainians in Poland, but also to support Belarusian athletes in Poland. Stepan Popov is developing a project to open a federation, train coaches, and help them find halls in Poland for the new sport, FCFS, co-developed by Popov and colleagues.
The next tournament is planned in Warsaw, and there are also plans to visit Bialystok. The deputy posted group photos from the festival on Instagram, showing Poland's stance towards Belarus. All teams had equal chances of winning, with a team of teenagers taking third place and surprising everyone with their fight and enthusiasm.
The "Brotherhood of Freedom" festival is more than just a sports event; it's a testament to the power of unity and community. It's a platform that brings people together, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. As the festival continues to grow, so does the hope for a stronger, more united community of Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Poles.
