German Who Bought Snytsina's Medal: When Belarus Becomes Free, This Medal Will Be Shown To Children

• 21.02.2021, 19:36

A resident of Munich has bought a medal of the Belarusian basketball player for $10 thousand.

Resident of Munich Joachim Heinze, who bought a bronze medal of Katsiaryna Snytsina for $10 thousand, told about the motives of his deed, Trybuna reports.

- I have decided to buy this medal, so that it will stay in Belarus. I would like it to be shown some day as a symbol of solidarity.

- Do you remember when you learned about the political crisis and violence in Belarus?

- News about political activity in the country started to appear even before the elections. I was communicating with friends from Minsk, including Germans who live there. All the time I was following the news and the violence that was spreading in the country after the elections.

- What were you feelings at that time?

- Aggression, anger. I was worried about the safety of my friends. I also felt ashamed that I couldn't do anything to help, that I was safe and could only follow the news. I sent messages to my friends sometimes, of course, to show my solidarity with them. But it was embarrassing that I wasn't doing more than that.

I learned from an article by Christoph Becker of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that Katsia Snytsina had put her medal up for auction. I immediately assessed the situation and realized what it could mean for her to sell such a valuable award. At that very moment, I decided that I had to buy this medal, so that it would stay in Belarus. I would like it to be displayed someday as a symbol of solidarity. I was also very happy that I got a chance to do something useful [for the Belarusians] and not to feel ashamed anymore.

- Did you manage to get in touch with Katsiaryna?

- Yes, we got in touch via Zoom. I told Katsia that I admire what she does - not only in the case of selling the medal, but the way she expresses her position every day. I think she's not just the captain of the basketball team, but a hero to the other people involved in the protest.

- Where's the medal now?

- Katsia still has it. When Belarus becomes a free democratic country and the people achieve their goals, I hope this medal will be shown to children, including young athletes, as a sign of solidarity among Belarusians, - Heinze said.