Aleksander Milinkiewicz, Intellectual and Friend of Poland, Dies at 79

Aleksander Milinkiewicz, a respected intellectual and a key figure in Belarus's democratic movement, passed away in Warsaw on Tuesday at the age of 79. He had been battling complications following a complex surgery in the autumn.

Milinkiewicz was widely regarded as an unshakeable authority, opinion leader, intellectual, and teacher for thousands of his fellow Belarusians for decades. His core message consistently urged people not to lose hope, to find glimmers of light in darkness, to seek deeper understanding, and to respect one another.

These values were deeply rooted in his upbringing. His parents, who worked alongside the renowned educator Janusz Korczak at the "Nasz Dom" (Our Home) educational institution in Warsaw's Bielany district during the interwar period, instilled these principles in him. Milinkiewicz was also a great-grandson of a participant in the January Uprising, who faced repression from the Tsarist authorities. His life and ideals stood in stark contrast to the political climate of Lukashenka's Belarus.

The swift fundraising for his rehabilitation in May, where the necessary amount was collected in less than three days, underscored the profound impact he had on those who knew him and supported his cause. His passing marks the loss of a significant voice advocating for a more hopeful and humane future for Belarus.