Voices from Belarus

The protests in Belarus have been taking place since the summer of 2020. The country is changing. The society and the nation has changed. What will be the ramifications of this national awakening? How long can Alyksandr Lukashenka "sit on the bayonets"?Show ContributorsPaweł Usow, Paweł Łatuszka, Jarosław Kociszewski, Andriej Chadanowicz, Alaksandr Milinkiewicz, Agata Kasprolewicz, Piotr Rudkouski, Hanna Lubakowa, Edward Lucas, Alena Aharelysheva, John BeauchampVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

"We are a living nation. We are Belarusians," sings the Tor Band. This is one of the results of the protests that have been going on since summer 2020. Belarusians discover their national and civic identity.The podcast uses excerpts from the following songs:- "We niearodiec" by Tor Band- "Mahutny God's"- "Walls" performed by Andrej ChadanowiczShow ContributorsNasta Niakrasava, Anton Saifullayeu, Paweł Usow, Jarosław Kociszewski, Alaksandr Milinkiewicz, Agata Kasprolewicz, Piotr Rudkouski, Hanna Lubakowa, Andrej Chadanowicz, Alena AharelyshevaVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

The West talks more about the protests in Belarus than it does. According to Alyaksandr Milinkevich, Europe should finally recognize that Belarus is part of it. Concrete albeit balanced support is needed. Neighbors, including Poles, may start to think about the threat of a wave of refugees.Show ContributorsJarosław Stróżyk, Andrej Stryzhak, Paweł Łatuszka, Jarosław Kociszewski, Alaksandr Milinkiewicz, John Bauchamp, Agata Kasprolewicz, Edward Lucas, Bartosz Panek, Alena Aharelysheva, Aleksandr PapkoVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

The protests in Belarus are not aimed at Russia, but that may change. Moscow sees Lukashenka's toxicity but does not want to lose influence. It cannot alienate the Belarusians, although the success of their revolution may be an example for the Russians.Show ContributorsIgor Gretskiy, Daria Zviagina, Paweł Łatuszka, Jarosław Kociszewski, Piotr Rudkouski, Hanna Lubakowa Aleksander Papko, Edward Lucas, John BeauchampVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

Despite violent public opposition, power in Belarus has not retreated. A former militia officer tells what the situation is "from the inside". A system built over decades will not give up easily.Show ContributorsPaweł Usow, Jarosław Kociszewski, Piotr Rudkouski, Hanna Lubakowa, Bartosz Panek, Andrej AstapowiczVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

The IT industry has become a showcase of Belarus. The authorities did not appreciate the social consequences of this fact. As a result, the analog regime was attacked by cyber guerrillas. This is an unusual phenomenon that also carries the risk of spreading violence.Show ContributorsOlga Dryndowa, Anton Saifullayeu, Paweł Usow, Jarosław Kociszewski, Veronika Laputska, Nasta Niakrasawa, Agata Kasprolewicz, Max Rust, Aleksander Papko, Amira Ousmanova, Alena Aharelysheva, Małgorzata RaduchaVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

The Belarusian woman ripped the policeman's mask off his face. She tells her story. Women in Belarus are fighting not only against the oppressive regime, but also for their rights. The authorities, rooted in Soviet thinking, do not understand what they mean.Show ContributorsAnton Saifullayeu, Jarosław Kociszewski, Veronika Laputska, Nasta Niakrasawa, Agata Kasprolewicz, Max Rust, Hanna Lubakowa, Amira Ousmanova, Alena Aharelysheva, Małgorzata RaduchaVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

The authorities are trying to suppress the awakening of Belarus by force. Citizens are affected by unprecedented repression. The brutality of the officers surprises the Belarusians themselves. However, the use of violence is nothing new, and some forms of persecution are embedded in the system created by Alexander Lukashenka.Show ContributorsAnton Saifullayeu, Jarosław Kociszewski, Agata Kasprolewicz, Bartosz Panek, Alena AharelyshevaVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

The song is a response to the regime's violence. "Walls" has also become an anthem in Belarus. Even folk songs sung under the white, red and white flag have power. Graffiti appears on the walls. The Belarusian revolution creates its own culture and art, which revives the history of a long-sleeping nation.The podcast uses excerpts from the following songs:- "Walls" translated by Andrei Chadanowicz and performed by Nastya Niakrasava- "Peremen" by Irdorath and the demonstrators- "Kupalinka" - from the "Hold the fire" concert at the POLIN Museum- "Mahutny Boża" - performed by the musicians of the Minsk Philharmonic during the protest- "Woiny Swieta" - Belarusian version 2020 and protesting students of one of the high schoolsVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski *** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

The coronavirus turned out to be the Chernobyl regime of Alexander Lukashenka. Belarusians woke up. They've told enough lies. The authorities responded with repressions that will not undo the changes. A new Belarus is born.Show ContributorsAnton Saifullayeu, Paweł Usow, Jarosław Kociszewski, Agata Kasprolewicz, Piotr Rudkouski, Hanna Lubakowa, Andrej Chadanowicz, Edward Lucas, Alena Aharelysheva, John BeauchampVoiceovers: John Beauchamp, Amy Drozdowska, Jaroslaw Kociszewski*** This podcast is financed by Solidarity Fund PL within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the grant titled: “In Solidarity with Belarus”. The podcast expresses exclusively the views of the speakers and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Solidarity Fund PL nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.