There is no evidence today to suggest that there is a strong Belarusian nation. Such characteristics of the nation as a territory, ethnic Belarusian groups are present, while others, use of native language and recognition themselves as Belarusians, are very weak or even absent. Despite the relatively large homogeneity of Belarusians in the country, which is a good basis for nation-building, Belarusian nation as a whole is not strong, “dumb”, suppressed by Russian mass culture, without manifestations of national will and honor. A part of the national conscious people is pretty thin and it is only sufficient yet to support the ​​Belarusian idea at a minimum level and it is insufficient to change the consciousness of society as a whole. In addition, there is no overall strategy to work together in the development of the Belarusian nation. As time passes, lost momentum and the generation that still feels themselves as Belarusians. Thus, we can say that under any circumstances for the actual construction of the nation state in the near future there is no serious basis.

It is also obvious that it is impossible to build the nation-state without the state. Now there is no indication that the denationalized government has a desire to perform some changes. Development of Belarusian culture, despite some declarative statements, is not a real state policy. If no changes occur in the 10-20 years, the society will be a denationalized civil state. Russification, which began 200 years ago, continues in Belarus so far. Modern Belarusian government exploiting the eastern vector of foreign policy, which is not based even on pan-Slavic, but on neo-Soviet ideology, suppresses the development of nation, which in turn leads the population of Belarus into assimilation by Russian politics and culture. In fact, Belarus is on the way of building a Russian-speaking civil state, which in turn can result in a real loss of its sovereignty by associating with other Russian speaking territories. Possible savings and the development of Belarusian culture in Russian-speaking environment – it’s a rhetorical question, and quite ridiculous.

Our neighbors, Latvia and Lithuania for 20 years have done a lot in nation-building and in many ways can be an example for us, as well as Poland, from which we have substantial support. Nation-building has become possible even in countries such as Latvia and Kazakhstan, where the proportion of ethnic titular nations was critically low. Ukraine solves almost the same problems as Belarus in the development of state and nation. On what will be the result of solving the existing conflict between Ukraine and Russia will partly depend external conditions of existence of Republic of Belarus. Almost all neighboring countries, except Russia, sympathy and help in the development of democracy in Belarus, thus contributing to the creation of new opportunities for the development of the nation. Twenty-two years ago Belarusians finally broke out of 200-year tutelage of the Russian Empire and got a real chance to return to the state, which they have had for centuries. But as always, on the part of Russia the danger still comes for the Belarusian independence. And although there are a number of conditions and facts that do not allow such a scenario to think about, but absolutely exclude this possibility no one can. The same can be said about the economic independence and autonomy despite the balance of the Belarusian economy between Russia and the rest of the world at this time.

Apparently, national leaders have to recognize that in the current conditions the possibility of building a real national state remains only theoretical. In terms of the language the nation-state could be established in the future on ‘Ireland type’ or ‘Czech type.’ But the theoretical possibility can’t be realized in the next decades, as it requires time and significant consolidation and education of the population of Belarus. It does not depend on who is in power, because it is impossible to carry out these tasks in a short period of time. This means that it is necessary to develop both short-and long-term projects aimed at achieving the conditions and changes to build the nation-state. And it’s not just the language. The nation can’t be built if Belarusians will not know the ancient history of his people: that Adam Mickiewicz is their national poet, as he is considered by the Poles and Lithuanians as well; that Belarusians can be proud of many prominent countrymen both past and present who were unjustly appropriated by neighbors who are shamefully silent on this point and do not want to share now; that we are distinctive, ancient nation able to solve own vital problems as free and equal nation among the other nations.

National elite remains the storage of values that already gained, their enrichment and long-term implementation in the national consciousness at least during one generation. What is being done in this area to date this is very good, but not enough. It seems that an important role in creating an information space can play Belarusian diaspora. Without the education of majority of Belarusian population theoretical possibility of nation-state building can’t be realized.

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Published in Belarusian. Web-magazine “SAKAVIK”, #1, March 2013

Categories: Гісторыя, Зьнешнія адносіны, Мова, Нацыя