Belorussian National Culture

Belorussian national art has deep roots in the past. During the first Russian Revolution (1905–1907) the voices of the young poets Yanka Kupala (1882–1942), Yakub Kolas (1882-1956), the revolutionary poets Tyotka (Elaisa Pashkevich (1876-1916) and other talented writers could be heard throughout the country.

Elaisa Pashkevich (Tyotka) was a teacher, socialist, the author of poems written in defence of ordinary people. The whole of her life was given to the cause of struggle against great injustice in the form of song and propaganda.

Kupala represents one of the peaks of Belorussian poetry.

For his people the poet writes his songs.

Kupala infused fresh blood into the veins of popular poetry. His own blood. Kupala’s comrade and associate was another fighter-poet, Yakub Kolas. He created many remarkable poems about the destiny of Belorussia, and later two larger epics – “The New Land” and “Simon the Musician”.

The poet was not a fighter in a poetic field alone. As a teacher he participated in the peasants’ disturbances against the landowners, organized an illegal teachers’ congress, wrote a textbook in the mother tongue “Advanced Reader for Belorussian Children”. He was put into prison for his activities. Verses appeared even in gaol.

One of the wonderful Belorussian lyricists was Maxim Bogdanovich (1891-1917). He lived only 25 years but raised Belorussian literature to world level. His poems, preserving their profoundly national spirit expressed real pain for the people. His poems and songs are of interest to all people everywhere in the world.

In the past few decades our literature has made new strides forward. M. Tank, P. Panchenko and others are as prolific as ever.

The novel by I. Melezh “The People of the Marshes” is profound chronicles. The poems by A. Kulyashov will remain in our memory for ever.

There are the remarkable stories by the outstanding writer, Ya. Bryl, and his novel “Birds and Nests”, about the hard lot of a Belorussian lad.

There are the stories and novels by Ivan Shamyakin, a writer who lives with the people, giving them all his abilities, the author of “Springs”, “Anxious Happiness”, “The Heart in Hand” and other well-known works.

V. Bykov’s works have been translated into many languages of the world. He is a truthful author, who writes about the war, and himself served as an artillery man throughout the war. His books such as “The Cranes Are Crying”, “The Obelisk”, “Sotnikov” are well known.

M. Lynkov’s novel “The Never-to-Be-Forgotten Days” is a great epic of the partisan warfare.

Comedies and tragicomedies by A. Makajonok “Pardon Us, If You Please”, “The Tribunal”, “The Downtrodden Apostle” are well known in our country. He was a very interesting humorous playwright, possessing a creative manner of his own.

After these came a new generation of talented poets and prose writers, enriching our writing.

They are R. Baradulin, a fine master of verse, V. Adamchik, Ya. Sipakov, B. Sachanka and others.

We have plenty of artists who portray the natural beauty of Belorussia, its heroic past, and its no less heroic present. The names of E. Zaitsev, V, Tsvirka, V.Volkov, K. Krasovsky, M. Savitsky and many, many others are known far beyond the borders of the Republic.

We have new film-studios which are capable of producing many films annually.

Many films produced by the Belarussian Studio: “Konstantin Zaslonov”, “Red Leaves”, “The Clock Stopped at Midnight”, “The Girl Wants to Find Father”, “Moscow-Genoa” and others have been awarded prizes at national and international festivals.

Belorussian music is on the upswing. A great many popular songs, operas and symphonies have been created by such well-known composers as. A. Bogatiryov, author of “In the Polesye Pusheha”, Ul. Alovnikov, M. Turankov, D. Smolsky, S. Kortes and E. Glebov. I. Luchenok’s songs are known all over the country.

The Belorussian vocal groups Pesnyary, Verasy, Charavnitsa and dance group Choroshki have been a great success in Europe, the USA, Latin America and Africa.