Latest news with #Belarusians
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Two exiled Belarusian publishers share Prix Voltaire for defending their language and culture
By Mark Trevelyan (Reuters) -Two Belarusians who fled repression in their native country were named on Monday as winners of the Prix Voltaire, a prestigious award that recognises publishers who fight for freedom of expression. Dmitri Strotsev is a publisher and poet who was briefly arrested and jailed during mass demonstrations in 2020 against Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. He now operates from Berlin. Nadia Kandrusevich founded Koska, a children's publisher that had books seized and offices closed after the crackdown by Lukashenko's security forces. She now lives in Sweden. James Taylor, director of communications and freedom to publish at the International Publishers Association, told Reuters the pair were being recognised for the personal risks they had taken and for their contribution to preserving the Belarusian language. In a telephone interview, Strotsev, 62, said the pro-democracy protests five years ago had provoked an outpouring of poetic expression in Belarus as demonstrators clamoured for Lukashenko, in power since 1994, to step down after a disputed election. But as the crackdown gathered pace, poets deleted their work from the internet because they feared it could endanger not only themselves but anyone who commented on it or "liked" it. Strotsev said he himself was arrested in October 2020 by operatives of the KGB security service. He was handcuffed and bundled into a minibus, with a bag placed over his head, then interrogated and sentenced to two weeks in jail for taking part in an unauthorised demonstration. After his release, he was briefly detained twice more and lived in hiding for a time before leaving the country in 2021. 'POLYPHONY' In Berlin, he founded the small publishing house Hochroth Minsk as a platform for the poets of the failed revolution, whose voices he compares to a choral symphony. "It was very important for me to somehow present to Belarusians and the world this polyphony, this one big symphonic choral work. I left Belarus with that task," he said. Kandrusevich, the children's publisher who shared the prize of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,200) with Strotsev, said: "This recognition affirms not only the importance of publishing and translating books for children but the belief in the quiet power of words to shape minds, to open hearts, and to build bridges across languages, cultures, and generations." Both publishers are dedicated to promoting the Belarusian language, although Strotsev has also published Belarusian poets writing in Russian, Yiddish, Polish and even Norwegian. Russian has been the dominant language in Belarus since Soviet times, so speaking and writing in the native tongue is itself an act of resistance, Strotsev said. His mission, he said, is "to bear consistent witness to this language and this culture, because if things continue as they are, there will be no Belarusian language in Belarus".
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Two exiled Belarusian publishers share Prix Voltaire for defending their language and culture
Two Belarusians who fled repression in their native country were named on Monday as winners of the Prix Voltaire, a prestigious award that recognises publishers who fight for freedom of expression. Dmitri Strotsev is a publisher and poet who was briefly arrested and jailed during mass demonstrations in 2020 against Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. He now operates from Berlin. Nadia Kandrusevich founded Koska, a children's publisher that had books seized and offices closed after the crackdown by Lukashenko's security forces. She now lives in Sweden. James Taylor, director of communications and freedom to publish at the International Publishers Association, told Reuters the pair were being recognised for the personal risks they had taken and for their contribution to preserving the Belarusian language. In a telephone interview, Strotsev, 62, said the pro-democracy protests five years ago had provoked an outpouring of poetic expression in Belarus as demonstrators clamoured for Lukashenko, in power since 1994, to step down after a disputed election. But as the crackdown gathered pace, poets deleted their work from the internet because they feared it could endanger not only themselves but anyone who commented on it or "liked" it. Strotsev said he himself was arrested in October 2020 by operatives of the KGB security service. He was handcuffed and bundled into a minibus, with a bag placed over his head, then interrogated and sentenced to two weeks in jail for taking part in an unauthorised demonstration. After his release, he was briefly detained twice more and lived in hiding for a time before leaving the country in 2021. 'POLYPHONY' In Berlin, he founded the small publishing house Hochroth Minsk as a platform for the poets of the failed revolution, whose voices he compares to a choral symphony. "It was very important for me to somehow present to Belarusians and the world this polyphony, this one big symphonic choral work. I left Belarus with that task," he said. Kandrusevich, the children's publisher who shared the prize of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,200) with Strotsev, said: "This recognition affirms not only the importance of publishing and translating books for children but the belief in the quiet power of words to shape minds, to open hearts, and to build bridges across languages, cultures, and generations." Both publishers are dedicated to promoting the Belarusian language, although Strotsev has also published Belarusian poets writing in Russian, Yiddish, Polish and even Norwegian. Russian has been the dominant language in Belarus since Soviet times, so speaking and writing in the native tongue is itself an act of resistance, Strotsev said. His mission, he said, is "to bear consistent witness to this language and this culture, because if things continue as they are, there will be no Belarusian language in Belarus". REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Stateless in Serbia: Russians, Belarusians left in limbo
NOVI SAD: More than 20 Russians and Belarusians living in Serbia have become 'stateless' after not being granted the Serbian nationality they had applied for. Most have lived in Serbia for more than a decade — buying property, starting businesses and raising children born in the country — where they are now basically trapped, unable to leave. Up to two years after renouncing their original nationality — which is required under Serbian rules — none has received a clear explanation from authorities for the delay. 'It has now been almost a year and a half that I've been without any citizenship,' former Russian citizen Igor Grishin told AFP. 'And I don't know how long it will last,' he added. 'A month, a year... or the rest of my life.' The 58-year-old health podcaster has lived for 11 years in the northern town of Sremski Karlovci with his wife and two daughters. His wife and older daughter obtained Serbian citizenship earlier, while the younger acquired it by birth. 'I cannot travel with my family,' Grishin said. 'I couldn't go to my mother's funeral in the Russian Federation and I cannot even visit her grave,' he added. Grishin is in contact with more than 20 others in the same situation — though these are only the known cases. Those AFP spoke to claim they have never expressed any political views — either about Russia or Serbia — which in the past has cost some Russians in Serbia their residency there. All said they had passed all security checks and renounced their original nationality as the final step. Big Russian influx 'Serbia gave us confirmation — a guarantee — that it would accept us if we renounced our citizenship,' Sergei Stets, a former Belarusian citizen who lives in Novi Sad, told AFP. 'I've now been without any citizenship for a year and a half,' said the 46-year-old former mountain bike coach from Minsk. 'I feel as if we're not wanted — neither there, nor here,' he said. Once the selector of Serbia's national team, he had to give it up because he is unable to leave the country, and now gets by delivering meals on his bike. His wife, a horse-riding and equine therapy instructor, faces the same issue, having previously worked across the region. 'I wrote to the police several times. The answer was always the same — the documentation is under review, and I need to wait,' he said. The Ombudsman's Office confirmed that they 'are aware of the issue', adding that 'the review of complaints is ongoing'. 'Special' cases linked to FSB Every country has the right to conduct additional checks, said experts on migration and asylum. 'Although they completed all procedures and renounced their previous citizenship, the process can still take time,' Rados Djurovic, a lawyer and director of the Asylum Protection Center NGO, told AFP. However, 'there is no justification for keeping people in an unregulated status long-term,' he added. Djurovic said outside factors linked to 'state policy and international relations' may also be to blame for the delays. Proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law in October 2023 aimed at simplifying the process for foreigners were withdrawn after objections from the European Commission. 'The more liberal reforms drew criticism from Europe, with concerns that easing citizenship rules could pose risks to Western countries,' with Serbian citizens allowed to travel freely in the EU without a visa. Despite being a candidate for EU membership, Serbia maintains close ties with Russia and has not joined Western sanctions — including visa restrictions — imposed on Moscow. As a result, demand for Serbian passports has surged, with between 80,000 and 110,000 Russians settling in the country in recent years, according to the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP). While some applicants remain in limbo, others — notably influential Russians — have reportedly obtained citizenship through special procedures. Last month the respected outlet KRIK revealed that 204 Russian nationals were granted Serbian passports for 'national interest' reasons. The list includes individuals linked to Russia's FSB security service, war profiteers from Ukraine and oligarchs under international sanctions. Serbian authorities have not commented on the report. — AFP
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Stateless in Serbia: Russians and Belarusians left in limbo
Representative AI image NOVI SAD: More than 20 Russians and Belarusians living in Serbia have become "stateless" after not being granted the Serbian nationality they had applied for. Most have lived in Serbia for more than a decade - buying property, starting businesses and raising children born in the country - where they are now basically trapped, unable to leave. Up to two years after renouncing their original nationality, which is required under Serbian rules, none has received a clear explanation from authorities for the delay. "It has now been almost a year and a half that I've been without any citizenship," former Russian citizen Igor Grishin told AFP. "And I don't know how long it will last," he added. "A month, a year... or the rest of my life." The 58-year-old health podcaster has lived for 11 years in the northern town of Sremski Karlovci with his wife and two daughters. His wife and older daughter obtained Serbian citizenship earlier, while the younger acquired it by birth. "I cannot travel with my family," Grishin said. "I couldn't go to my mother's funeral in the Russian Federation and I cannot even visit her grave," he added. Grishin is in contact with more than 20 others in the same situation though these are only the known cases. Those spoken to claim they have never expressed any political views, either about Russia or Serbia, which in the past has cost some Russians in Serbia their residency there. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo All said they had passed all security checks and renounced their original nationality as the final step. "Serbia gave us confirmation -- a guarantee -- that it would accept us if we renounced our citizenship," Sergei Stets, a former Belarusian citizen who lives in Novi Sad, told AFP. "I've now been without any citizenship for a year and a half," said the 46-year-old former mountain bike coach from Minsk. "I feel as if we're not wanted neither there, nor here," he said. Once the selector of Serbia's national team, he had to give it up because he is unable to leave the country, and now gets by delivering meals on his bike. His wife, a horse-riding and equine therapy instructor, faces the same issue, having previously worked across the region. "I wrote to the police several times. The answer was always the same -- the documentation is under review, and I need to wait," he said. The Ombudsman's Office confirmed that they "are aware of the issue", adding that "the review of complaints is ongoing". Every country has the right to conduct additional checks, said experts on migration and asylum. "Although they completed all procedures and renounced their previous citizenship, the process can still take time," Rados Djurovic, a lawyer and director of the Asylum Protection Center NGO, told AFP. However, "there is no justification for keeping people in an unregulated status long-term," he added. Djurovic said outside factors linked to "state policy and international relations" may also be to blame for the delays. Proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law in October 2023 aimed at simplifying the process for foreigners were withdrawn after objections from the European Commission. "The more liberal reforms drew criticism from Europe, with concerns that easing citizenship rules could pose risks to Western countries," with Serbian citizens allowed to travel freely in the EU without a visa. Despite being a candidate for EU membership, Serbia maintains close ties with Russia and has not joined Western sanctions -- including visa restrictions -- imposed on Moscow. As a result, demand for Serbian passports has surged, with between 80,000 and 110,000 Russians settling in the country in recent years, according to the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP). While some applicants remain in limbo, others notably influential Russians, have reportedly obtained citizenship through special procedures. Last month the respected outlet KRIK revealed that 204 Russian nationals were granted Serbian passports for "national interest" reasons. The list includes individuals linked to Russia's FSB security service, war profiteers from Ukraine and oligarchs under international sanctions. Serbian authorities have not commented on the report.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia's Lavrov calls German army buildup plan 'very worrying'
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (AP) MOSCOW: Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday called German plans to build the "strongest" army in Europe "very worrying", citing the world wars of the 20th century. Germany has, since WWII, been reluctant to build up its military, and Nato allies have mostly relied on the United States for security. Berlin is one of Kyiv's strongest allies as it has fought Moscow's full-scale offensive for more than three years. "Many were immediately reminded about the periods of the previous century, when Germany twice became the leading military power and how much trouble this brought," Lavrov said at a security conference in Moscow, where representatives from the US embassy participated for the first time since Russia's Ukraine offensive. Merz had vowed to "provide all financial means necessary" for the long-underfunded defence forces of Europe's economic powerhouse. Berlin has recently stationed a 5,000-strong armoured brigade in Lithuania, the first permanent deployment of German troops abroad since WWII, in response to Russia's full-scale offensive on Ukraine in 2022. The Kremlin has repeatedly used the memory of the Soviet Union's fight against Nazi Germany to whip up support for its military campaign in Ukraine. The Soviet Union lost millions of civilians in WWII, including Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Central Asians, and other peoples. Moscow had a working relationship with Germany prior to launching its 2022 Ukraine full-scale offensive. But Berlin emerged as one of Kyiv's main backers following a trend that Merz has vowed to continue.
