Seems, Even Palace Of Independence Doesn't Make Lukashenka Feel Safe

• 6.03.2019, 15:13

How “Tsal Dir Bie” became a restricted access facility.

During the last “Big Conversation with the President” Lukashenka once again spoke about why it was necessary to build a new residence in Minsk, Salidarnasts writes.

– The Palace of Independence was created to become the pride and highlight of Belarus. And I suggested: yes, this is a restricted access facility, but let's open it for excursions. You have no idea how many thousands of people today are on the list of those willing to visit the Palace of Independence. That is, I try to build something, preserve, to keep traditions, symbols – everything that will allow us to say: “Yes, we really created a sovereign, independent state.”

As if to confirm the words about the excursions, the state-run media published a photo report about the visit of police and internal troops to the palace on Tuesday.

But does this mean that the doors of the Palace of Independence are open to all? No, it does not mean this. And sightseeing websites warn about this in plain text. “Pay attention, please: there are no excursions in the Palace of Independence! Only an external observation is possible as part of excursions in Minsk,” – the ekskursii.by website informs its customers. The website openminsk.by, offering a sightseeing bus tour of Minsk, also reminds: “The Palace is closed for mass visits. There are no guided tours inside it.” At the same time, potential clients are reminded that the building of the palace is “equipped with advanced safety technologies, metal detectors, X-rays and audio interception preventing devices are installed inside.”

Such precautions are explained by the fact that “the Palace of Independence is the current Lukashenka's residence”, wherein “events of national importance, international meetings, negotiations of leaders of states, awards ceremonies of outstanding national figures are held.”

In fact, there are excursions in the palace sometimes. But, as it turns out, one should earn a walk among the marble and crystal. This is what the official site Belarus.by reports on this: “The Palace does not accept tourists. However, there are often guided tours by invitation: honored people of different professions, athletes, students and schoolchildren, guests of Belarus from around the world, participants in various international events that take place in Minsk, are enjoying its interiors...”

And for all others, the following option is provided: “Everyone can see the Palace walking along the picturesque Peramozhtsau Avenue. And, of course, on news broadcasts and on numerous photos from the halls, where something interesting happens almost every day.”

The example of Kazakhstan

In the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, there is a Palace of Independence, built in 2008 by order of the permanent leader of the country, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Like its Minsk fellow palace, the palace in Astana is a platform for holding official state events, forums, meetings, and congresses. Various events, significant for the country, including international summits take place here.

Unlike Minsk, the palace in Astana is open for tours six days a week.

How the Palace of Independence became a restricted access facility

Immediately after the opening of the palace in 2013, Lukashenka assured the Belarusians that it “will be open to people.” Immediately after that, there were talks about tours to the Palace, but the very first journalists' attempt to see it from the inside failed.

In April 2014, a Salidarnasts journalist tried to get inside the Palace of Independence as a tourist. Failed again. But this time the reason became known: according to the guard, the palace was made a restricted access facility, which protects it from visits of unauthorized persons.