With great respect and joy we present to you the laureates of the Voice of the Freedom Generation Award.
The award was established in 2025 by PEN Belarus in partnership with the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the Press Club Belarus and Free Press for Eastern Europe. Its purpose is to honor outstanding figures of the Belarusian human rights, literary and journalistic community aged 60+ who were forced to leave Belarus after 2020 due to persecution and continue their work outside the country in Poland, the Czech Republic or Lithuania. The award includes a financial reward (several thousand euros) and the publication of materials about the laureates in a collection to be presented in November 2025. Candidates could be nominated through a questionnaire distributed by the co-founders. When voting, the jury took into account possible conflicts of interest, in which case the jury member did not have the right to vote for the person concerned.
Winners of the Voice of the Freedom Generation Award – 2025:
- Zoja Belachvoscik
- Hennadz Vieracinski
- Uladzimir Vialičkin
- Aliaksandr Harcujeu
- Aleh Hruzdzilovič
- Natallia Dulina
- Maksim Žbankou
- Andrej Zavadski
- Aliaksandr Kapucki
- Valery Karbalevič
- Aliaksandr Klaskouski
- Zosia Kustava
- Liubou Luniova
- Viktar Marchuk
- Tamara Mackievič
- Uladzimir Mackievič
- Iryna Suchij
- Siarhiej Sys
Comments from the co-founders of the award:
Taciana Niadbaj, PEN Belarus: “The voice of the laureates is the voice of conscience, creativity and resistance. It continues to sound, despite borders, trials and enforced silence. The contribution of these people to Belarusian culture, the development of civil society and the protection of human rights is undeniable, profound and inspiring. The founders of the award express their sincere gratitude to the laureates for their steadfastness, loyalty to values and tireless work for a free, just and dignified Belarus. This year, the jury recognised as many as 18 laureates – a significant number for the award, but still only a small part of those who daily bring a free Belarus closer with their actions and creativity. We know and remember that there are many more people who deserve recognition and support, and we will do everything possible to ensure that they can continue their work today, so that their voice does not disappear into the silence of censorship, silencing or fleeting time. Their stories of courage, dignity and service to Belarus must be duly recognized and honored.”
Maryia Sadouskaya-Komlach, jury member: “Those who have consciously defended the values and future of a free Belarus for several decades deserve unconditional respect and support. I am proud that these people are my compatriots. I hope that after the festive ceremony in Poland, we will be able to award them one more time – next time in Belarus, which each and every one of them left against their will.”