People without Country. Country without People. Belarusian Cultural Opposition

The discussion will focus on the current situation of adaptation, transformation and interpenetration of ideas and activities of Belarusian artists and activists into European narratives and the prospects of these processes.

With

Olga Shparaga Philosopher, writer
Antonina Stebur Curator, art critic
Igor Shugaleev Actor and performer

Moderation: Johannes Kirsten Head Dramaturg Maxim Gorki Theater

The forced migration of the creative class from Belarus in recent years has had a significant impact on the discourse on freedom of speech and fundamental human rights in Europe. In Belarus, there are almost no tools left to ensure and monitor the observance of basic human rights. The Belarusian protest movement, which, in a situation of intensified and ongoing repressions, went underground, nowaday finds its public continuation in social and cultural projects around the world. Currently, most of the activists and opposition to Lukashenko’s government are political prisoners, but those who have left and live mostly in European countries are going through the process of building a socio-political identity and networking with the hope of someday returning to their home country and implementing their achievements.