People of Word (38)

People of Word (38)

People of word – Belarusian writers, translators, and literary researchers, publicists, intellectuals, and those who create and expand culture, protect the word and its masters.

The Belarusian PEN sees its mission as creating a space for the development of culture, dialogue, and the realization of creator’s potential, protecting the civil and cultural rights and freedoms of the People of Word.

Belarusian PEN continues to fight against hate speech and draws international attention to human rights violations in Belarus, including cultural rights. In times of crisis and uncertainty, Belarusian PEN responds to the regime’s attempts to divide society by calling for unity and dialogue among the People of Word. Through their activities, they contribute to the realization of the goals of the Belarusian PEN and share the principles and values of the Belarusian PEN and the core documents of the Belarusian PEN and the PEN International.

Since 1996, the Belarusian PEN has been a member of the ″Writers in Prison Committee″ founded in 1960 by the Assembly of Delegates of the International PEN. The necessity of such a committee is explained by the increasing attempts by authorities worldwide to silence writers and journalists by restricting their freedom.

As of June 30, 2024, there are no fewer than 38 People of the Word in detention, and no fewer than 164 cultural figures in detention (about 10% of all political prisoners).

Cultural figures persecuted for political reasons experience harsh and inhumane treatment, are in a state of constant restrictions, pressure, without contact with family and lawyers. Often, relatives have no information for months.

Darja Chmialnickaja

Darja Chmialnickaja – writer, translator from Chinese to Belarusian, author of the blog “Knižny Cmok” (Bo...

Andrzej Poczobut

Essayist, journalist, publicist, blogger, poet, songwriter, musician

Alena Cieraškova

Alena Cieraškova is a writer, poet, translator, doctor, mother of four children, sister of political prisoner Maksim ...

Nastassia Maciaš

Nastassia Maciaš is a philologist who edited Astrid Lindgren’s Karlsson on the Roof Belarusian translation, pub...

Zmicier Daškievič

Publicist, author of the book of prison literature Čarviak (2014), for which in 2014 he became the laureate of the Fr...

Aksana Jučkavič

Poet, organizer of cultural events, journalist, author of the children’s poetry collection “Saint Nichola...

Alaksandr Ilin

Alaksandr Ilin is a songwriter and vocalist of the band “Nizkiz.” The rock band “Nizkiz” from...

Alaksiej Navahrodski

Alaksiej Navahrodski (born Čekavy) was born in 1975 in the village of Papernya in the Lida district. He worked as a s...

Ihar Karniej

The journalist, essayist, author of texts about the cultural and historical heritage of Belarus, and travel blogger.

Siarhiej Makarevič

Супрацоўнік дабрачыннага фонду «Вяртанне» і выдавецтва «Янушкевіч», культурны менеджар, аўтар кнігі «Край мой верасов...

Maksim Znak

Lawyer, advocacte, poet, bard, author of the book "Zekamerone".

Aleh Katsapau

Aleh Katsapau is a writer, poet, and social activist. He was born in Homel in 1969. He graduated from the philologica...