In recent days, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented two awards to individuals who have spent many years researching, preserving, and promoting Belarusian history, culture, and language.
In Warsaw, the medal “For Distinguished Work for the Benefit of Belarus” was awarded to Felix Ackermann. A historian who speaks Belarusian, Ackermann has worked on Belarus-related topics for years, taught at the European Humanities University, and published several books about Belarus in both Belarusian and German. During the meeting, Mr. Ackermann and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also discussed support for Belarusian academic projects in Germany and opportunities to expand it.
In Prague, the Francysk Skaryna Medal was presented to Siarhei Shupa, a Belarusian researcher, translator, and publisher. As he is currently recovering from a planned surgery, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, accompanied by her advisors, visited him during her official trip to the Czech Republic and presented the award in person.
Sometimes awards are presented at official ceremonies. Occasionally, they are presented in a hospital room. But the purpose remains the same: to thank those who, through years of dedicated work, help preserve and develop Belarusian culture, scholarship, and national memory.
