A senior Polish security official has raised concerns that an upcoming art festival in Belarus could serve as a gateway for migrants and intensify pressure on Poland’s eastern border. The official’s comments come as Poland continues to grapple with a migration crisis and accuses Belarus of exacerbating the situation.
Poland has long been a safe haven for opponents of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the aftermath of the invasion, Poland emerged as one of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters. However, tensions have escalated as Poland accuses Belarus of orchestrating a migrant crisis on its border.
According to Polish authorities, Belarus has been artificially creating the crisis by transporting individuals from the Middle East and Africa and attempting to push them across the border. Despite constructing a steel barrier, Poland’s border guards still face numerous attempts at illegal entry on a daily basis.
In a tweet, Stanislaw Zaryn, deputy to the Minister Coordinator of Special Services, expressed concerns about the potential impact of the International Art Festival ‘Slavonic Bazaar’ in Vitebsk, Belarus. Zaryn suggested that the festival, scheduled for July, could attract migrants from high-risk countries.
“The migration facilitation introduced, if successful, may lead to an increase in the influx of people to Belarus, which Lukashenko’s services will use to intensify the hybrid operation conducted on our eastern border,” Zaryn wrote.
Under a decree issued by President Lukashenko, participants and guests from 73 countries, including the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, would be exempt from visa requirements for entering Belarus during the festival. This visa waiver has raised concerns among Polish officials, who fear it may open a new pathway for migrants seeking to enter the European Union.
The festival, known as ‘Slavonic Bazaar,’ attracts a wide range of participants and is a significant cultural event in the region. Festival ticket holders will enjoy visa-free entry into Belarus between July 4 and July 23, according to the Belarusian government’s website.
The concerns raised by the Polish official have not gone unnoticed, but the Belarusian embassy in Warsaw was unavailable for immediate comment on the matter.
As tensions continue to mount between Poland and Belarus, the situation at the border remains a focal point of concern. Poland seeks to protect its sovereignty and maintain control over its borders, while Belarus faces accusations of exploiting migration for political purposes. The outcome of the art festival and its potential impact on the border situation remains to be seen.