The fifteen-year-old Belarusian Mikalay found out that his instructors and administrators were now referring to him by his Russian name, Nikolai, instead of his Belarusian name. This change is in line with a larger trend of Russification in Belarus, where Mikalay has spent the majority of his childhood speaking Belarusian, but Russian is becoming more and more prevalent.
The transition to Russian is part of Moscow's greater cultural and political influence. Throughout history, Russia forced its language and culture on Belarus, both under czarist and Soviet control. After the Soviet Union disbanded in 1991, Belarus quickly asserted its national identity by establishing Belarusian as the official language and creating nationalist symbols such as the white-red-white flag.
However, when Alexander Lukashenko took office in 1994, these attempts were reversed. Lukashenko, a former Soviet collective farm official, proclaimed Russian an official language alongside Belarusian and banned nationalist symbols. Under his rule, which has lasted more than three decades, Russian has grown to dominate all aspects of life in Belarus.
Russian has supplanted Belarusian as the primary language of government business, the media, and everyday life in cities like Minsk. The Lukashenko administration has allied itself militarily and politically with Moscow and is largely dependent on Russian financial assistance and energy resources. As part of this partnership, Belarus allowed Russian troops and missiles to be stationed there, which contributed to the crisis in Ukraine.
Svetlana Alexievich, a Nobel Prize-winning author in exile, has criticized the situation, stating that Belarus feels effectively occupied by Russia and lamenting the loss of national identity. Belarusian cultural figures face persecution, and many nationalist organizations have been shut down, reflecting a broader campaign to suppress Belarusian identity.
Mikalay’s father, Anatoly, has expressed frustration over the enforced Russification and the suppression of Belarusian culture. The recent changes in the education system, including the introduction of Russian-language classes and the removal of Belarusian-language coursework, are seen as part of a deliberate effort to erase Belarusian identity.
Speaking Belarusian is currently regarded as a political act of defiance due to the dire circumstances. Speaking Belarusian became a symbol of opposition during the massive anti-government riots that broke out after Lukashenko was elected to a sixth term in the contentious 2020 election. Following a vicious crackdown, hundreds of thousands of people fled the country.
Human rights experts and cultural analysts argue that the Kremlin’s strategy in Belarus mirrors its actions in Ukraine. Moscow's efforts to enforce Russification are accompanied by severe repression of Belarusian culture and political dissent. Pro-Russian organizations and educational programs are proliferating, while Belarusian cultural and educational institutions face increasing restrictions.
Belarusian language use has decreased significantly, from 40% of students receiving education in Belarusian in 1994 to less than 9% today. This decline is driven by both official policy and societal pressures. In rural areas and the western part of the country, the language persists, but it is increasingly rare in urban settings.
People who translated the Bible into Belarusian in 1517, such as Francysk Skaryna, are now seen as markers of a history that is being aggressively repressed. The dominance of Russian overshadows the historical and cultural relevance of the language.
Belarusian intellectuals and activists, such as Anaïs Marin and Alina Nahornaja, underline the dichotomy between preserving Belarusian identity and fearing retaliation. Speaking Belarusian has become a symbol of resistance, but it also poses a risk, since it can lead to discrimination and persecution.
Belarus' continuous Russification process attempts to obliterate the country's distinct national character and fully merge it into Russia's sphere of influence. This endeavor is accompanied by a broader crackdown on all forms of Belarussian nationalism and cultural expression.
The Belarusian government's policies, as well as the actions of pro-Russian parties, show a strategic attempt to eradicate any threats to Moscow's dominant position. As Belarus continues to suffer cultural and political disintegration, the future of its national identity is questionable.
Belarus' situation exemplifies a greater geopolitical fight between Russian influence and smaller nations' desire to maintain cultural and political independence. The loss of the Belarusian language and culture is a serious defeat for people who support national sovereignty and identity.
