Ask Dubauets. About the ban on Belarusian literature, the “historical conflict” with the Lithuanians and independent Belarusian media

2023-08-26 09:00:00

— Should independent Belarusian mass media have a version in Russian?

– In the situation of exile, the Russian language of the Belarusian media creates an image of them as “not quite Belarusian”, at least it does not contribute to the trust and consolidation of Belarusians.

It should be borne in mind that for Belarusians, their “critical moment” is ahead, but they can take into account the experience of Ukraine, where such a moment has already arrived, and draw their own conclusions. Simple logic suggests that the main version of the Belarusian mass media should be in Belarusian. And how many aids there will be, in other languages, depends on the resource. The more such versions, the better for the media.

– They started banning Belarusian literature. And the forbidden fruit is sweet. Can it be a stimulus for the development of literature itself?

– One can compare the attitude towards Belarusian literature (and language) with the Ukrainian army in 2014 and now. Previously marginal, often conformist and optional, today literature (and language) was recognized by the regime as its real enemy. Belarusian literature (and language) is free and European, dynamic in development, popular with the public. It became a party in the “war of cultures” and has already won this war, because there is no alternative to it, and the number and quality of readers is growing before our eyes.

– Why are the Lukashians talking about the threat to NATO, when NATO has never announced such plans?

— The reason lies in the age-old Russian contribution, which is based on absurdity. Every pro-Russian person is convinced that there is no logic in life, it is as senseless as death. The rule of law, human rights, the truth of the facts are empty words. And everywhere, both in Russia and in NATO. Therefore, Moscow can attack Ukraine and say that Ukraine started the war.

Lukashenka is trying to instill this relativism in Belarus. Are you saying this is a lie? And how to see. Political prisoners? We don’t have them. Lost the election? Where did you see the election?

– Do you not admit that people in Donbas simply do not want to live in Ukraine?

– I admit, but how to verify it? The people of Donbas have no way of telling about it. “Referendums” with sky-high results were held there by Russia on its own – under the conditions of occupation, Russian propaganda and persecution of everything Ukrainian. There are no objective statistics.

30 years ago, the Donbass could have arisen, for example, in the Baltic countries. But after the withdrawal of the Russian army from there, peace, democracy, well-being and civilization in general were established there. Therefore, I also allow the opposite.

– Will the historical conflict with the Lithuanians lead to the expulsion of Belarusians from Lithuania?

– This is not a “historical conflict”, but a Lukashenko-style provocation. I don’t know if it is inspired by Moscow, but it is beneficial only to it.

Lithuania has long lived in a world where neighboring countries resolved most of their historical conflicts by opening borders. It is precisely the borders in history that created the conditions for conflicts. And Belarus, unfortunately, remains in the old world of confrontation and “enemies all around”. Lithuanians can quite justifiably expel from the country, but not Belarusians, but Kremlin provocateurs, even those with Belarusian passports.

– Belarusians in Poland learn the Polish language faster, and speak Russian with their own people. Why so?

— Because there are no social incentives for learning the Belarusian language in Poland or they are too weak. As in Belarus itself, by the way.

Many do not understand that it will not be possible to achieve democratic changes (and, as a result, for example, the release of political prisoners) in the Russian way in Belarus. Democracy is built by the nation, not the population. According to the idea, the Belarusian “government-in-exile” would have to deal with the stimulation of the Belarusian language. Such assimilation will not happen by itself. As well as the release of political prisoners. These are related things.

— Can democratic forces abroad seize the initiative from Lukashenka?

– Now it depends only on the human factor, as it happened in international affairs. The actually elected parliament and government can seize the initiative inside Belarus, not optional quasi-structures that are not accountable to anyone.

The Belarusian community abroad, from 300,000 to half a million people, could, through elections, give the democratic forces such responsibility before the nation, which would itself influence the situation at home. To seize the initiative, it is necessary, at least, to act with the opponent in the same formal categories.

The opinions expressed in the author’s columns represent the views of the authors and do not reflect the position of the editors.

❓Ask your question. Telegram: @SvabodaBelarus; Signal: [phone]