Today is exactly one hundred years since the birth of the writer Vasil Bykau. Meetings and parties dedicated to his memory are expected abroad on this occasion, which will take place during this and the coming days. In particular, Belarusians hold such events in Warsaw, Bialystok, Prague, Vilnius and other places. Small commemorative celebrations will also be held in Belarus.
So, for the centenary of the national writer, a meeting is planned in his homeland in Bychki, where mini-performances based on his works and a concert are promised. Another event was announced at the branch of the State Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature — the Bykau Cottage Museum. They promise literary conversations with visitors and “quizzes on the mysterious pages of creativity”, as well as an artistic plein air.
Front-line soldier Vasil Bykau sincerely talked about the war. He wrote about her from the perspective of a living person — with his doubts and fears. Bykau’s prose was appreciated back in the Soviet Union, he was published in large editions, he was awarded prizes, although he always remained inconvenient for the authorities. Both under the USSR and later under Lukashenka.
Bykov was a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the BSSR, was at the origins of the creation of the Belarusian People Front. In the late 90s, he was forced to leave Belarus and returned to his homeland only a month before his death. Tens of thousands of people came to Minsk to say goodbye to Bykau.
Lukashenka has repeatedly spoken disparagingly about Bykau. But his current supporters have surpassed even him in criticizing the people’s writer. Informer Olga Bondareva called front-line soldier Bykau a “nazi” and demanded that his books be removed from the school curriculum.