PJHR Affiliate Dr. Prysmakova Interviewed by Notable Belarusian Journalist

Pictured (Left to Right): Mrs Aliaskandra Pushkarova (Chair of BAZA South Florida), Mr Dzimtry Lukashuk, Dr Palina Prysmakova (PJHR Affiliate, Associate Professor, School of Public Administration)

 

PJHR Affiliate Dr. Palina Prysmakova, in cooperation with the South Florida Chapter Belarusian-American Association (BAZA), recently hosted a famous Belarusian journalist Dzmitry Lukashuk, who presented his co-authored book Belarusian National Idea during the Marches . Lukashuk left Belarus in 2021 during the Belarusian government's crackdown on independent media.

The book is the second in a series of published radio interviews with notable Belarusians, who explain their view on what constitutes or should constitute the national idea of the people who live in the Republic of Belarus. This second round of interviews was recorded in 2020, during the numerous peaceful protests that filled the streets of Belarusian cities and towns in opposition to the country's increasingly autocratic government. Thus, national awakening has been the main, if unintentional, theme running throughout the interviews.

Mr. Lukashuk embarked on a two-week tour to meet the Belarusian diaspora across the United States and to promote the book. All of the copies that were shipped to the tour locations in advance sold out. In addition, Mr. Lukashuk held an auction for the first book of the series Belarusian National Idea , which has sold at some locations more than for $3,000 per book.
 
That first book had a limited edition. Yet when it came out, it was very warmly welcomed by the Belarusians, who gathered in long lines at bookstores to buy their copies. In March 2021, Belarusian authorities declared that book to be extremist. Belarus is currently governed by the regime of President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who has maintained power by force since 2020 after falsifying the presidential elections to stay in office. Possessing or distributing the book Belarusian National Ideain the country is currently forbidden, and the regime has engaged in numerous human rights violations against Belarusian dissidents.

After the presentation of the second book of interviews, Mr. Lukashuk interviewed PJHR Affiliate Dr. Palina Prysmakova. Her interview, along with those of other prominent Belarusians, was broadcast live on Euroradio. It will also appear in the forthcoming third book of the series on the Belarusian national idea.