34 years ago, the Belarusian language officially became the state language in Belarus, while Russian acquired the status of a “language of interethnic communication”. However, creeping Russification ended that state of affairs. As a result, Belarus today is the only country in Eastern Europe where the native language and culture do not have an appropriate public status. On the contrary, every manifestation of Belarusian national identity is being targeted: the regime declares literary classics as extremist, reduces school hours for studying the native language, and shuts down publishers and media promoting Belarusian culture.
On the anniversary of Belarusian becoming the state language, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, called on Belarusians to use their native language more often:
“Even now, when the Belarusian language is in another decline and state policy tries to push it out of the public sphere, the Belarusian language continues to sprout. It continues to break through. And this has been the case over the past decades, despite Lukashenka’s policies. The Belarusian language has become a symbol of our national identity, something that makes us stand out from the crowd.
We should use the Belarusian language every day. You can do it with your friends, with your family, or write online in Belarusian. You just need to try. Expanding the use of the Belarusian language is what every Belarusian should do”.
