Office for a Democratic

Belarus Headlines

Issue XXXII October 15, 2008

Belarusian Poster Art Travelling Exhibition Opens in Warsaw

Office for a Democratic Belarus

Inside this issue:

Belarusian 1 pact the important socio-political transfor- poster art mation taking place in Belarus at that time exhibition opens had on poster art, leading to the creation of in Warsaw On 7 October 2008, “Visual code of the new artistic techniques and forms. time: post-Soviet poster art in Belarus” The exhibition has attracted great atten- EU and Belarus 2-3 opened in Warsaw’s Zoya gallery. The Polish capital is the first European city tion. Familiar symbols of the countries’ that hosts the travelling exhibition, or- communist past have evoked memories ganised by the Office for a Democratic and generated vivid discussions. The audi- Politics and 3-5 Belarus with the help of the Robert ence show special interest in works on the Society Bosch Stiftung and the German Marshall Chernobyl catastrophe. Finance and 6-7 Fund of the United States. On Thursday, 9 October, the organisers of economics In the framework of this project, works the exhibition presented a catalogue fea- of prominent Belarusian designers are turing forty-three posters accompanied by going to be seen by audiences in various an additional explanatory text about each work. Culture 8-9 cities across Western Europe and will, hopefully, travel to North America. The exhibition is on display in Warsaw Nasha Niva The exhibition focuses on posters of fif- until 21 October and will then travel to Sprouting Field teen prominent masters of the genre other venues in Europe, including Berlin, Dresden, Brussels, Amsterdam, , Tri- whose works received numerous awards and critical acclaim in various interna- este, and some other cities. tional competitions and festivals. The Office for a Democratic Belarus ex- Among the authors whose posters are presses its gratitude to all partner organisa- presented in this exhibition are tions who helped make this project possi- Uladzimir Tsesler, Sergei Voichanka, ble. ODB extends our special thanks to the We on the Web Tatsyana Hardashnikava, Zmitser Sur- Belarusian Union of Designers and the Zoya gallery that has agreed to host the www.democraticbelarus.eu ski, Uladzimir Krukouski, Alena Kitaeva and many others. exhibition.

In selecting works for this exhibition the 09.10.2008 organizers focussed on those of the Source: ODB 1980s and 1990s to demonstrate the im- PAGE 2 BELARUS HEADLINES ISSUE XXXII

EU and Belarus Press-Conference of Milinkevich and Kazulin at the European Parliament

which was one of the believes was an important step forward conditions set forth by on the part of the Belarusian authori- the EU, is not a suffi- ties, he stressed that the problem of cient reason for lifting all persecution for political reasons has the sanctions against the not been eliminated. Major institu- Lukashenka regime. In tional changes, particularly amend- particular, it was stressed ments of the Penal Code, are necessary that no major improve- to prevent the government from carry- ments have been re- ing out political repressions in the fu- corded in the conduct of ture. Mr. Kazulin also raised the ques- the last parliamentary tion of lowering the fee of the Schen- Photo: at the press-conference in the EP elections. Nonetheless, gen visa for the Belarusians. He be- Mr. Milinkevich said he lieves this would be an important step On 8 October 2008, the Office for a is in favour of a dialogue between the facilitating the country’s democratic Democratic Belarus attended a press EU and the Belarusian government, transition in the future. conference of the leader of Belarus’ which, in his opinion, could be used as Movement for Freedom Aliaksandr an instrument to demand more conces- In his address to the audience, Jacek Milinkevich, and a former presidential sions from Lukashenka’s government Protasiewicz, head of EP Delegation candidate and political prisoner Aliak- on human rights. for Relations with Belarus, presented sandr Kazulin, which took place in the his assessment of the EP resolution. European Parliament in Brussels, Bel- Aliaksandr Kazulin agreed with Mr. gium. In the opening statement, Jacek Milinkevich on the necessity of initiat- He also mentioned that the EU is con- Saryusz-Wolski, the chairman of the ing a dialogue with the Belarusian au- sidering lifting travel ban for some meeting and the EP Committee on For- thorities. Yet he believes this dialogue Belarusian politicians. In this regard, eign Relations, stressed that despite should take place with the participation Mr. Milinkevich said the measure lack of major improvements in Belarus, of the country’s democratic forces. Mr. should apply to certain officials in the the EU considers to lift certain sanc- Kazulin then noted that the resolution current administration that would pro- tions imposed on Belarus in order to on Belarus drafted by the European vide for the establishment of a dia- facilitate the development of the civil Parliament clearly identifies the priori- logue with the EU. For his part, Mr. society and pro-democratic forces in ties of the Belarusian society. In his Kazulin was more sceptical about the that country. In his address, Mr. Mil- opinion, it presents an accurate assess- impact this step would have on the inkevich noted that Belarus, as many ment of the country’s problems as well Belarusian government. In his opinion, other countries, faces a financial crisis as the future perspectives. He said the a more feasible step would be to sus- that would have the most detrimental last parliamentary election, as a result pend the sanctions, as was done by the impact given the dismal state of the of which not a single representative of United States. Belarusian economy. In his opinion, the opposition received the necessary only the EU can help modernise the vote, was the lost opportunity for Lu- country. Mr. Milinkevich further noted kashenka. While addressing the ques- 08.10.2008 that the release of political prisoners, tion of political prisoners, which he Source: ODB

EU Parliament Supports Easing Belarus Sanctions

European Union nations should The parliament would be no easing of the visa ban for ease their sanctions against Bel- called on the "those directly involved in violating arus, the European Parliament member states democratic election standards and hu- urged on 8 October, just days and the European man rights." before the 27 foreign ministers Commission, the met for talks in Luxembourg. E.U.'s executive During the six-month period Belarus' arm, to consider a restrictive media laws should be The lawmakers voted 597 to 31 six-month sus- changed, the Euro deputies agreed. for a re-examination of the sanctions pension of visa bans imposed on some imposed on Belarus, still close to Mos- of the Belarusian figures currently not cow, with a view to an eventual sus- welcome in the bloc. pension of "existing restrictive meas- 08.10.2008 ures." At the same time it stressed there Source: AFP PAGE 3 BELARUS HEADLINES ISSUE XXXII

EU and Belarus EU Suspends Visa Ban on Belarusian Officials

has been attending the EU foreign some improvements, the parliamentary ministers' meeting in Luxembourg. elections held on 28 September 2008 in The warming of relations followed Belarus failed to meet the democratic the release of political prisoners in criteria of the OSCE. The Council calls Belarus. on the Belarusian authorities to rem- The suspension of the travel ban edy the shortcomings observed and to does not apply to those involved in cooperate fully to that end with the the "disappearances" of govern- Office for Democratic Institutions and ment opponents in 1999-2000 or to Human Rights” reads the Council con- the president of the national elec- clusions on Belarus. tion commission, who is excluded Some EU countries are more deter- Javier Solana and Siyrhei Martynau because the EU was dissatisfied mined to keep up pressure on . with the fairness of last month's Financial measures against the Belarus Belarus’ President Alyaksandr Luka- parliamentary elections in Belarus. administration have not been lifted. shenka is once more free to enter the EU. The EU has kept the regime's top Extending the six month suspension of The European Union is suspending a election commissioner blacklisted the visa ban would require the support travel ban which targeted him and other to show it disapproves of last of all the EU states. officials. The bloc imposed the sanctions month's parliamentary election in after critics internationally accused Luka- Minsk, in which no opposition can- 13/10/2008 shenka of rigging his re-election in 2006. didates won seats. Source: consilium.europa.eu, Belarus' top diplomat, Syarhei Martynau, "The Council notes that, despite euronews

Politics and Society

OSCE: Parliamentary Elections in Belarus Fell Short of OSCE Commitments in Spite of Minor Improvements

Despite some minor im- deliberate falsification short-term observers. provements, the 28 Sep- of results were ob- tember parliamentary elec- served. "I'm hopeful and disappointed at the tions in Belarus ultimately OSCE monitors were same time. Hopeful because when we fell short of OSCE com- prevented or hindered came here it seemed that there was mitments for democratic from observing the vote some wind of change in the election elections, international count in 35 per cent of environment; disappointed because we observers from the OSCE cases. This compro- were unable to see a problem solved concluded in a preliminary statement mised the transparency of this funda- that has been with election observation issued on 29 September. mental element of the election proc- in this country for a long time, and that ess. is the non-transparency of the vote The election took place in a strictly count. But we hope that the improved controlled environment with a barely "The clear signals to improve the elec- co-operation we have experienced dur- visible campaign, said the observers tion process were not implemented ing this election can be the basis for a from the OSCE Office for Democratic and substantial improvements are re- genuine dialogue on implementing our Institutions and Human Rights quired if Belarus is to conduct genu- recommendations", said Ambassador (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary inely democratic elections in line with Geert Ahrens, Head of the OSCE/ Assembly (OSCE PA). our common OSCE commitments. ODIHR election observation mission. Unfortunately the repeated signals of Positive developments included the Voting was generally well conducted, good will did not seem to have been slightly increased access of opposition but the process deteriorated considera- correctly given or received. Conse- representatives to election commis- bly during the vote count. Promises to quently the significant progress we sions, the decision to rebroadcast once ensure transparency of the vote count hoped for in the democratic develop- the five-minute candidate spots during were not implemented. The count was ment of Belarus did not materialize," prime time, and the recommendation to assessed as bad or very bad in 48 per said Anne-Marie Lizin, Vice President seal ballot box slots overnight during cent of polling stations visited. Where of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly the five-day early voting period. access was possible, several cases of and Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE Please see the next page: ISSUE XXXII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 4

Politics and Society

OSCE: Parliamentary Elections in Belarus Fell Short of OSCE Commitments in Spite of Minor Improvements

Some opposition candidates information for vot- The OSCE deployed some 450 interna- noted progress in their ability ers to be able to tional observers from 43 countries, in- to conduct meetings in author- make an informed cluding more than 320 short-term ob- ized locations without interfer- choice. Political servers and 58 experts and long-term ence. parties played a observers fielded by ODIHR, as well as minor role, and re- 66 parliamentarians and staff from the The legislative framework strictions imposed OSCE PA. continues to present obstacles by the state authori- for elections in line with OSCE com- ties did not allow for a vibrant cam- mitments. The media coverage of the paign with real competition. 29/09/2008 campaign did not provide meaningful Source: osce.org

Belarus and Russia to Sign Air Defence Pact

Belarus and Russia are set to Belarusian S- rus and Russia Pavel Borodin said the sign an agreement for a re- 300 surface-to- new agreement was a vital counter- gional joint air defence sys- air missile sys- weight to efforts by NATO to woo tem to counter NATO's east- tems and as well other former Soviet republics. ward expansion, officials as the possible "Military speaking, it is virtually a said. purchase of ad- shield against NATO," Borodin told The agreement, expected to vanced S-400 RIA Novosti. be signed November 2 by the systems from Supreme State Council of the Russia, RIA Belarus-Russia Union State, would Novosti reported. 08/10/2008 involve the coordination of existing State Secretary of the Union of Bela- Source: UPI

Opposition Activist Yana Palyakova Assaulted in Salihorsk

Opposition activist Yana lice station, where ings instituted in connection with what Palyakova was attacked by she wrote a complaint she described as her beating in the Sali- an unidentified man near about the attack. horsk district police department in Au- her home in Salihorsk, The activist claims gust. Minsk region, on Thursday that she was mis- night. treated at the police The woman said that she had been station. A policeman beaten by police officers. She com- As the woman’s associate grabbed me by the plained to the district prosecutor’s of- Ihar Rynkevich said the jacket and pulled it fice but the latter refused to investigate man grabbed her by the hair with so much the incident. and slammed her head strength that I wound against the wall as she was up sitting on the Ms. Palyakova was a campaign aide of Yana Palyakova unlocking her apartment floor. I was sitting Volha Kazulina, a daughter of opposi- door. and could not stand tion politician Alyaksandr Kazulin, in up because of acute pain in the lower the parliamentary elections earlier this The man reportedly told the activist that back, and my leg hurts now so much year. “this will be the last warning if you that I cannot stand on it,” she said. don’t keep quiet.” Ms. Palyakova was rushed to a hospital The woman linked the attack to her 10/10/2008 for treatment and then brought to a po- attempts to have criminal proceed- Source: naviny.by ISSUE XXXII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 5

Politics and Society

Belarus-Kyrgyz Talks Result into 8 Joint Agreements

Bilateral talks held between the been also signed between the finance, Kyrgyz and Belarus Presidents Kur- culture, foreign affairs, labour and social manbek Bakiev and Alyaksandr development ministries of the both Lukashenka in Bishkek on Saturday, countries. October 11, 2008 resulted into eight joint agreements. The presidents have also agreed to de- The documents signed oblige the velop cooperation in the sphere of infor- both parties to develop cooperation mation. Therefore the Kyrgyz national in economic, trade, culture, science news agency Kabar and the Belarus tele- and humanitarian spheres, as well as graph agency have signed information "grow constructive foreign policies' exchange agreement. collaboration on the bilateral bases," Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Kurmanbek Bakiev namely under such interstate alli- ances as CIS, EurAsEC, CSTO, UN and and security." 11.10.2008 OSCE - "in the name of peace, stability The cooperation agreements have Source: 24 press club

Czech Foreign Minister Meets with Milinkevich

ing Belarus," Mr. Milinkevich was leader Gari Kasparov, Polish journalist quoted as telling the minister. Adam Michnik and Czech economist Mr. Milinkevich said that it was very and presidential adviser Jan Svejnar are important for Belarusian civil society participating in the conference founded to maintain contacts with "Czech part- by Vaclav Havel, former Czech presi- ners" especially during the time when dent. The Belarusian opposition leader is Belarusian opposition politician Alyak- the Czech Republic will preside over scheduled to submit a report on relations sandr Milinkevich met with Czech the European Union between January between the government and civil soci- Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg and July 2009. ety in Belarus and meet with the Czech in , said the press office of the On Sunday, Mr. Milinkevich attended prime minister, said his press office. former presidential candidate. an opening ceremony for the 12th "The Czech government is carrying out Forum 2000 Conference, officially consistent policy of supporting Belaru- titled Openness and Fundamentalism sian civil society and has always in the 21st Century. Apart from Mr. 13/10/2008 backed the use of ethical policy regard- Milinkevich, Russian opposition Source: BelaPAN

Russian Combat Aircraft to Join Military Drills with Belarus

Russian military aircraft and helicopters will conduct joint exercises with the Belarusian Air Force, a Russian Air Force spokesman said on Wednesday. Lt. Col. Uladzimir Drik said Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters, Su-25 Frogfoot close-support aircraft and Mi-24 Hind at- tack helicopters had landed at three Belarusian airbases on October 13 in preparation for the Fall-2008 operational and tac- tical exercises with the Belarusian Armed Forces. The Fall-2008 exercises will involve around 8,500 personnel, military and special hardware, including over 40 aircraft, more than 60 tanks, around 250 armoured vehicles and up to 40 artillery pieces. The participation by Russian aircraft in the exercises is part of the ongoing Russia-Belarus Stability-2008 drills, Drik said. The Stability-2008 exercises will last until October 21 across various regions of Russia and Belarus with the goal of prac- ticing the strategic deployment of the Armed Forces, including the nuclear triad, to counter potential threats near the Rus- sian border. "The exercise will involve the majority of personnel and strategic aircraft in service with strategic aviation units," Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin earlier said. "The crews will deploy the entire range of on board weaponry." The Russian Air Force combat training program has scheduled more than 200 exercises with 350 live firing drills for the second half of 2008. 5.10.2008 Source: RIANovosti ISSUE XXXII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 6

Finance and Economics

World Bank Approves New Financing to Assist Belarus in Improving Delivery of Water Supply and Sanitation Services

The Board of Executive work, ground and elevated as well as training to enhance technical Directors of the World reservoirs, and iron removal capacity and competence of the partici- Bank today approved a plants. This component will pating utilities. The project will be US$60 million loan to the also finance rehabilitation of implemented by a Project Coordinating Republic of Belarus for a the wastewater collection sys- Team within the Republican Unitary Water Supply and Sanita- tem and wastewater treatment Enterprise Zilkommuntekhnika report- tion Project. The project plants including the installa- ing to the Ministry of Housing and aims to increase the effi- tion of pumping stations, Utilities. ciency, quality, and sustainability of sludge dewatering systems, collection According to Kanthan Shankar, World water supply and sanitation services to networks, and monitoring stations and Bank Task Team Leader for the pro- 1.7 million people living in 20 rayons small laboratories. ject, " The Belarus Water and Sanita- across the country. This is the first The second component, in the amount tion Project complements the govern- operation under the recently approved of $6.05 million, will finance engineer- ment's own National Water Develop- World Bank's Country Assistance ing and construction management ac- ment Program 'Chystaya Vada'. We Strategy for Belarus (2008-2011) tar- tivities needed in order to undertake the hope our collaboration contributes to geted at areas that improve people's investments in component 1. These furthering innovation, modernization, livelihoods and contribute to protect- include engineering preparation, prepa- and capacity development of the Bela- ing the environment. ration of feasibility studies and designs rus water sector." The project consists of three compo- as well as bidding documents. It will The project will be financed through a nents. The first component with an also include advisory services and con- Specific Investment Loan with the allocation of US$53.60 million will struction supervision, as well as, moni- Variable Spread Loan in US dollars finance water supply development toring and evaluation and reporting on including five years' grace and level through rehabilitation and construc- audits. repayment of the principal. tion of deep wells, pumping stations, The third component, worth US$0.20 01/10/2008 transmission mains, distribution net- million will ensure project monitoring Source: Interfax

Belarus '09 Budget Overhauls Tax, Cuts Deficit

Belarusian Parliament gave initial was aimed at raising living standards. Belarus now pays $129 per 1,000 cubic approval on Thursday to next year's The draft indicates that Minsk wants to metres, far below the $500 that Gaz- budget which will overhaul the tax try to borrow $200 million abroad next prom says its Western European clients system and reduce the deficit to 1.8 year to cover a deficit of $1.4 billion. pay. percent from 1.9 percent in 2008. The remainder will be covered by ex- The draft, still to be passed in a sec- isting funds. The budget draft assumes a gas price of ond reading, got rid of a graduated Belarus is in talks with Moscow to $140 next year, but that is far below a income tax system of between 9-30 receive a credit on favourable terms of level of $200-250 mooted by Moscow. percent. Instead, there is to be a flat $2 billion, similar to the $1.5 billion it rate of 12 percent. received last year which helped Minsk Finance Minister Andrei Kharkavets pay for a sharp increase in gas imports 02/10/2008 later told journalists that the change from Russian monopoly Gazprom . Source: Reuters

Owner of Estonia's No. 2 Brewery Invests in Belarus

Olvi plc, Finnish group that that Belarus was a natural percent holding, while the remaining 49 owns A. Le Coq in Estonia, direction for Olvi's expan- percent is distributed evenly among the has acquired a majority sion since Olvi already has brewery's personnel. The acquisition holding in the Belarusian brewery operations in Es- price is approximately USD 16 million. brewery Lidskae Piva. tonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The company that is the Lidskae Piva is in private third largest brewery and ownership. After the trans- soft drink company in action, Olvi plc is the ma- 03/10/2008 Finland said in a statement jority shareholder with a 51 Source: Baltic business news ISSUE XXXII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 7

Finance and Economics German Companies Suggest Renewable Energy Projects to Belarus

German companies suggest imple- the interest of German business circles privatisation programme adopted by the menting joint projects in Belarus in in Belarus is on the rise. It is the fifth Belarusian government will invoke a lot the area of renewable energy sources, delegation of German businessmen of interest of investors," he added. head of the German economy repre- that has visited Belarus this year, with The German Economy Day is arranged sentation in Belarus Uladzimir Au- visits planned for the next year as well. by the German-Belarusian Economic gustinsky said at the German Econ- The present delegation includes around Club and the representation of the Ger- omy Day in Minsk on October 1. 35 representatives of over 20 German man economy in the Republic of Belarus In his words, several German compa- companies, which operate in power with assistance of the German embassy. nies present their proposals for using engineering, chemistry, electronics, The event is supposed to inform the gen- renewable energy sources, including instrument making, transport and con- eral public about the operation of Ger- a project for setting up a hybrid sulting. While in Belarus members of man companies in Belarus and to ex- power plant. Investments in the pro- the delegation are expected to discuss pand contacts with Belarusian partnering ject may exceed 200 million euro. opportunities for manufacturing coop- companies. It is the second German The companies will hold negotiations eration. Economy Day organised by the German with interested Belarusian state agen- Measures taken to liberalise the econ- side in Minsk. Entrepreneurship culture, cies to discuss the possibility of im- omy and Belarus' advancement to the various aspects of which are considered plementing the project in Belarus, number of leading legislation reform- during events and presentations, is the said the source. He specified, the pro- ers provided a positive influence on the theme line of the German Economy ject was initiated at the Belarusian- rising interest of German investors, Day. German energy forum in May 2008. remarked Uladzimir Augustinsky. "I 06/10/2008 Uladzimir Augustinsky underscored, think the possibility of partaking in the Source: Your Industry News

Russia Offers Belarus Its Ruble

national currency, it's important." "Currency pool" is a term used in Great Britain in the 1940s and in Southeast Asia in the 1990s. It is the partial unification of current exchange regulation, including through international reserves. In practice, it is a unification of parts of national reserves. In Russia's case, the changes would be mainly a matter of image. Russia's interna- tional reserves exceed $540 billion. Alyaksandr Lukashenka Those of Belarus consisted of $4.58 billion as of September 1, as Vladimir Putin Russian Prime Minister Vladimir determined by the International Mone- Putin stated yesterday that he has tary Fund, and $5.6 billion according to Belarus from Russia was $12.7 bil- suggested that Belarus create a to the Belarusians. The Belarusian Na- lion. The creation of a pool would more "currency pool" with Russia, its part- tional Bank does not make public the closely tie the Belarusian rubles to the ner in the Union State, and use the amount of its reserves it keeps in Rus- Russian one, but there have been several Russian ruble for settlements in en- sian rubles, but it acknowledged in its suggestions that Belarus simply convert ergy trades at least until the instabil- 2007 annual report that 80.1 percent of to the use of the Russian ruble, which ity on the financial markets passes. its reserves were in "currency with Lukashenka rejected. The move would Putin was in Minsk for negotiations limited convertibility." The Russian limit the Belarusian National Bank's with the Belarusian Prime Minister ruble was considered such a currency ability to regulate macroeconomic proc- Sergey Sidorenko. "The problems the at the beginning of 2007. esses in the country and require greater American economy and American Belarusian President Alyaksandr Luka- transparency of it. currency system have encountered shenka has motivation to accept Putin's today are well known to us," the Rus- proposal. Belarus's balance of trade sian prime minister said. "In that con- with Russia in the first half of the year nection, there are grounds to think was negative. Export from Belarus to 07/10/2008 about what I said. For the Russian Russia totalled $6 billion, and import Source: kommersant.com ISSUE XXXII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 8

Culture Nasha Niva: Sprouting Field

Retracing the path of the first Bela- spoke their language! It was all the more were also the driving force behind the rusian newspaper helpful that the newspaper was pub- proclamation of Belarusian independ- lished in two versions – one in Cyrillic ence in 1918. Without Nasha Niva and It was a cold day of November 10, and another in the Latin alphabet, so that its enormous political and cultural in- 1906. The air of was filled the Belarusians used to reading Russian fluence over the emerging nation, this with the odours of burning coal, fal- or Polish could understand it. would have hardly been possible. len leaves and the genlte scent of snow, which was just about to start Together with However, the Belarusian falling. Two men were walking down Aliaksandar People’s Republic the street, clutching a sheet of paper Ulasau, a big shortly fell under the and reading it so intensively as if it amicable man heavy steps of Soviet were a prophecy or a map of the is- with a splen- Russia. The communist land full of treasures. In a sense, it did mous- ideology labeled Nasha was. Two brothers, Ivan and Anton tache and a Niva a “bourgeous- Lutskevich, were holding in their small country nationalistic mouth- hands the first issue of the first full- estate, which piece” and locked its fledged newspaper in the Belarusian gave him Anton Lutskevich Ivan Lutskevich remaining copies in se- language. Something, this land has some finan- cret archives. The circle never seen before. cial independence founded Nasha Niva. of Nasha Niva authors literally melted In Belarusian, “Nasha Niva” means in the merciless fire of Stalinist purges *** “Our Field”. In the field of Belarusian and the two world wars. It appeared At the beginning of the 20th century, culture there was a lot of work indeed. like the story of Nasha Niva, as well as Vilnius was a bustling multicultural Unlike with previous attempts to create of independent Belarus, was finally city, situated on the European the Belarusian-language over. Still, the roller-coaster of outskirts of the senile and weary press, Nasha Niva was not history made another breathtak- Russian Empire. For ages, Russia and directed against the regime in ing twist. In 1991 Belarus re- its conquered provinces had been the first place, but aimed at gained its independence and kept more or less solidly together by bringing up the modern na- Nasha Niva revived again. tion with the help of informa- brutal force. Uprisings of the suppres- Similarly to 1906, Nasha Niva sed nations, czarist crackdowns and tion, culture and education. As a result, Nasha Niva be- was reestablished in Vilnius in liberalization periods changed each 1991 by the group of Belarusian- other. Combined with the social un- came much more than just a newspaper. Soon it has speaking intellectuals. With the rest, all this finally brought about the Aliaksandr Ulasau grown into an extensive net- famous literature critic and es- first Russian revolution in 1905. The sayist Siarhey Dubavets as its monarchy survived, but had to make work of subscribers and cor- respondents, united most of the promi- Editor-in-Chief, Nasha Niva of the some liberal concessions. This, in 1990’s was more of a magazine than a turn, stirred up various national intel- nent Belarusian intellectuals and writers of that time, and largely contributed to newspaper, less centered on current lectual circles to activity, which later events, and more concerned with the resulted in the birth of new modern the development of the modern Belaru- sian language. Nasha Niva covered a large-scale problems of nation-building. European nations, such as Lithuanian, It featured sophisticated essays, literary Ukrainian, and, of course, Belarusian. whole range of the topics and themes, from the elections of the Russian parlia- works – both Belarusian and foreign, “Don’t you think that we want to ment (Duma) to new tips on farming and became a testing field for ideas of serve just the aristocrats, or exclu- that were borrowed from Denmark. A new Belarusian intellectuals. sively the common folk. No, never! special place was given to literature. “When my colleagues and I began to We shall serve all deprived Belaru- Many young authors, who published in revive Nasha Niva in 1991, we had to sian people, we shall try to become a Nasha Niva, later became Belarusian follow the footsteps of Lutskevich mirror of life, reflecting the sunlight classics, including Maxim Bahdanovich brothers”, says Siarhey Dubavets in his into the darkness”, read the first edi- and who also was the Radio Liberty program “The thing is, torial of Nasha Niva. Until 1905, newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief in 1914- that the newspaper was being revived in printing books and newspapers in the 1915. the still-existing USSR, which was a in the Russian Soviet sequel to the Russian empire… empire was illegal. No wonder Nasha For Lutskevich brothers Nasha Niva was a tremendously important project, but it The whole situation was not much dif- Niva was like a ray of light for people ferent from 1906.” all over Belarus, especially in small was not the only project they managed. towns and villages. The newspaper Being the founders of the Belarusian social-democratic party Hramada, they ISSUE XXXII BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 9

Culture Nasha Niva: Sprouting Field

After the Soviet Union finally broke Niva, was sentenced to 15 days in prison *** up in the late 1991, the newspaper on falsified charges – in reality, together moved from Vilnius to Minsk, the with other journalists of Nasha Niva, he It was a cold day of September 10, 1939. capital of was just Anton Lutskevich tried to make his the newly bringing hands warm by breathing on them, but independ- warm food didn’t work. The air, which entered his ent Belarus. and clothes prison cell through the iron bars, was to the peo- filled with the odours of burning coal, In 2000 ple protest- fallen leaves and the sharp scent of snow, Andrey ing in the which had already started to fall. Anton Dynko be- center of thought about his brother Ivan who died came a new Minsk of tuberculosis in the Polish mountain Editor-in- against the town of Zakopane in 1919. Could they Chief of manipu- imagine, walking down Vilnius streets Nasha lated presi- back in 1906, that everything would turn Niva, dential out that way? That all their precious which also elections. dreams, Nasha Niva, independent Bela- marked a Among the rus, their friends and their lives, will be rather sig- swept away by the bloody communist Opposition activist Viktar Ivashkevich reading Nasha Niva present nificant staff writ- tide? Anton knew that Gulag would be change in ers of Nasha Niva most have already his next destination, and realized he the newspaper’s editorial policy. Nas- spent some time in prison on political might never make it back home. “This ha Niva evolved to a weekly newspa- charges. will probably be a very long winter”, he per with a strong interest in politics whispered. Their field might not sprout and other current affairs, although Then and now, Nasha Niva was and for a long while, despite of all the seeds retaining a significant emphasis on remains anything but a lucrative enter- which had been planted there. “I guess culture in general and literature in prise. Back in the 1910’s Ivan Lutske- we’ll just have to wait for another spring particular. According to the new con- vich, who was a passionate collector of to come”, Anton thought and closed his cept, Nasha Niva should reflect all antiques, could not only make his own eyes. sides of life of Belarusian life just living and create a unique collection of like it did in 1906, from politics to Belarusian rarities through his opera- 14.10.2008 sports, from stock prices to art exhibi- tions, but also struggled to provide addi- By Ales Kudrytsky tions. This policy is being continued tional funding to Nasha Niva. Today, the by the present Editor-in-Chief An- newspaper has to rely mainly on dona- drey Skurko. tions from its readers and sympathizers in Belarus and all over the world, since When you compare the circumstances private firms are afraid to advertise with in which “the original” and “the re- the free press, fearing governmental newed” Nasha Niva existed, you will crackdowns. find striking similarities. Today, just as in the 1910’s, Belarus struggles However, some things are also different under the authoritarian regime. Back from 1906. In the early 20th century in the 1910’s and now, Nasha Niva, there was no internet. Today the news- despite its legal status, have always paper’s website www.nn.by is the lead- been under the tremendous pressure ing Belarusian-language source of infor- from the state. In the czarist Russia mation on the internet. Belarus is inde- the issues of Nasha Niva were confis- pendent now, unlike in 1906, when the cated on a regular basis. In Belarus, full sovereignty was something one the newspaper struggles under a ban could barely dare to dream about, let on distribution and subscription. Ali- alone publicly write about it. And, fi- aksandar Ulasau, the Editor-in-Chief nally, the renewed Nasha Niva outlived of the “old” Nasha Niva, spent two its predecessor by almost two times, months in prison in 1910 on charges which gives hope that things do change of publishing an article, which was to better, and that the work of people “dangerous to the state order”. In who created Nasha Niva 100 years ago March 2006, Andrey Dynko, the Edi- was not in vain. Andrey Dynko released after 15 days of arrest tor-in-Chief of the renewed Nasha