Belarus, a neighboring country in turmoil, poses an enigma to many. However, for people in Latvia Belarus is still perceived as akin to any other Eastern European nation. Why does this divergence exist and what can we do about it? Why does Belarus exhibit duality in various aspects – two flags, two power structures, two languages, even two Christmas celebrations – and what significance does this hold for Latvia?
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, global attention has veered away from the ongoing conflicts and political repressions within Belarus, even here in Latvia. However, the struggle against Lukashenka's regime persists, raising the question: What lies beneath the façade of Belarus' outward tranquility? We held a conversation with Nasta Zakharevich, a Belarusian political activist and journalist residing in Riga. Through her insights, we sought to uncover the layers of Belarus' political climate and to try and understand what is wrong with the clean streets of Belarus.
In dialogue with Nasta a youth group from Latvia engageed in an introspective exploration of the bounds of social and political activism in Latvia, examining their role in local politics and the safeguarding of individual liberties.
Nasta Zakharevich (Наста Захарэвіч) is a Belarusian independent journalist and refugee in Latvia. She covered protests in Minsk in 2020, and has been sentenced for that twice. Being forced to flee her country to avoid illegal and unfair criminal prosecution, she's been living in Riga since December 2020. She continues writing about Belarus for international media, raising awareness about political prisoners and various forms of repression in Belarus.
The event was part of the "Collective Community Movement" project. The project is implemented by the LCCA in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut in Riga and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.