Magazine “KULTURA, NATSYJA”,
Issue 36, November 2025
Abstracts, KULTURA. NATION, #36, November 2025, 264 pp.
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 7–49, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The relatively calm “geopolitical” period in the world that could be observed after the collapse of the USSR has resumed with new force in the form of a desire for a new division of the world, which can now be quite clearly outlined. The former “bipolar” confrontation between the West and the USSR has now changed, it seems, to a division of the world between three poles. Such poles are China, which is gradually creeping into all continents with its influences, the USA – with the slogans “Let’s Make America Great Again” promoted by President D. Trump, and, finally, Russia, always offended by Western civilization – with Putin’s imperial ambitions to restore its former greatness and the territories lost during the Gorbachev era. One of the hot spots where the Great Powers are clashing with each other to change European borders that until recently seemed stable is the war waged by an aggressive Russia against Ukraine. An analysis of the roots of this war takes us deep into history and shows that the war between them is of an inter-civilizational nature.
The materials of the article will be presented at the international scientific conference “CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AT THE CONCERT OF SUPERPOWERS: The Politics of Empires and Spheres of Influence in the Culture and Civilizational Reflection of the Region”, which will be held at the University of Warsaw on December 2–3, 2025. Conference organizer: INSTITUTE FOR INTERCULTURAL STUDIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW.
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(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 50-104, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The magazine “Culture. Nation” continues Mr. L. Karpovich’s historical stories about our homeland, based on postage stamps. This time the author provides a detailed description of events in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, especially concerning the 16th and 17th centuries. The discussion focuses on the activities of such prominent figures as A. Jagiellonczyk, Sigismund I the Old, F. Skaryna, Sigismund Augustus, S. Batory, K. Ostroski, Sigismund Vasa, J. K. Khadkevich, and on such events as the Battle of Orsha, the issue of the Statute of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Lublin and Brest Unions, the Livonian War, the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation.
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Piotra Murzionak: What are we building?
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 105-132, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The author tries to understand what our homeland will be like in the future – whether it will remain a civilian Russian-speaking state of the “Lukashenka type”, will it be absorbed by aggressive Russia, or will Belarusians finally be able to realize the national idea? The latter is being sought, but so far it has not even been clearly defined. Based on an analysis of the theory and practice of nation-building the form and content of the nation-state are discussed, unacceptable options for the existence of the Belarusian state, as well as the possibility of implementing the idea of an “Eastern Switzerland” for Belarus, no matter how utopian it may seem to many.
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George Repetski: Is the human soul eternal?
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 133-140, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. In his article entitled “Is the human soul eternal?” author Yu. Repetski answers a series of questions posed by his friend concerning the eternal or non-eternal existence of the human soul. The article begins with three questions then passes onto a longer article in which the author refers to Biblical teaching concerning the eternal nature of the soul following the death of one’s body. The three questions raised are as follows. 1) Do noted places speaking of the soul’s eternal existence indicate that this is a case of its eternal, never dying state? 2) How can it be that the Lord God does not judge separate souls of humans but whole nations? 3) Why should any of us accept as adequate the final Biblical explanation (on the soul’s eternal nature) since we see in the Bible various explanations?
Following this we find various explanations in the longer article by the author in which he brings to our attention various places in the Bible where it speaks of conscious human souls following the physical death of their bodies. The question is raised how death entered humanity after the first person created by God, Adam, broke God’s command. The coming of Jesus Christ to earth is introduced into this discussion. He was condemned to death by humans but His death on the cross in fact served as the sacrificial death for humanity’s sins. The author states that an offer is extended to all persons to hear the “Good News” of salvation and respond to the call of being saved through personal faith in Jesus Christ and belief in his sacrificial death for their personal sins. The author reminds us of two persons, a rich man and beggar Lazarus, who saw each other having both gone through physical death of their bodies. Four points of view concerning the question of eternal punishment are reviewed and at the end the author expresses his view on which of the four views he sees as most convincing and probable.
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(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 141-151, http://www.sakavik.net)
Large volumes of correspondence pose problems of accounting, storage, digitization, assessment of informativeness, and importance of information. The experience of individual researchers and collectors can be useful in developing recommendations for creating and using reference information on individual components of documentation received by mail. This article examines the envelopes regarding Native Americans kept by scholars in Gomel. The analysis of the appearance and characteristics of individual elements of the envelopes can constitute a subdiscipline of source studies.
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Lyudmila Andilevka: “A Sad Tale”
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue36, November 2025, pp. 152-167, http://www.sakavik.net)
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Yuras Rapetski: Review of the work by Lyudmila Andilevka – “A Sad Tale”
(webzine “Culture. Nation”, issue 36, November 2025, 168-169, http://www.sakavik.net)
Liudmila Andilevka’s short composition “Sad Tale” is divided into two sections. Using allegory, she portrays unexpected happenings in the life of a quiet unassuming town called Blium. Changes take place requiring decisions about the town’s future. No matter how hard the mayor and his people tried, their good intentions did not turn out as expected. Instead of introducing positive changes, they ended up creating a wall around the town in which only “those who are committed to our goals” were allowed in. All of this reminds us of the changes that Belarusians experienced within the last few years in their social and political life. In the second part the hero relates several horrible moments that he experienced while serving as a soldier of the Soviet Red Army in Afghanistan. In both cases the reader asks the question: was all this worth it while. The answer is doubly clear – not at all!
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Piotra Murzionak: How to greet in Belarusian?
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 170-174, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The author, using the example of relationships with his relatives, discusses in this essay how to greet in Belarusian correctly.
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Piotra Murzionak: To My Dear Mother (poem)
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 175-177, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract: This poem is dedicated to my mother, who passed away a year ago.
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Marina Kochatova: All we need is love
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 178–184, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. On October 19, 2025, the University of Ottawa’s Freyman Hall hosted an evening of poetry and music “Yuras, Cantabile and Friends”, a kind of benefit for the Ottawa Belarusian poet Yuras Сhametkа. The evening left wonderful impressions and vivid memories.
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A. Tolstaja, A. Korolkevitch: The Night of Belarusian Poets
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 185–193, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. On October 29, 2025, Belarusians in North America gathered for the now traditional event “Poets’ Night” to honor the memory of the victims of Stalin’s repressions – primarily those who died on the tragic night of October 29-30, 1937. The event is dedicated to unsung poetry – a symbol of living and unbreakable Belarusian culture. The event was organized by the Belarusian Institute of Science and Arts in Canada (BINiM Canada) which was attended by about thirty people from Ottawa, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and other cities in North America. During the event, participants read poems, recalled the work of the murdered poets, and reflected on their influence on the present. Despite the tragic fates of the poets, the participants retained their lofty feelings, because repression destroys the lives of individuals, but it can do nothing with the spirit and desire for freedom and a sense of pride in who we are. Words were heard that these people live in their works – and will live as long as we remember them and pass on their voice.
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Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Mr. Kastus Akula
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 194–213, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. Belarusian Institute of Arts and Sciences, Canada (BINIM Canada) took part in a series of events marking the 100th anniversary of Mr. Kastus Akula (Ales Kachan) — a Belarusian writer and public figure (16 November 1925 – 29 January 2008). On 11th November 2025, at a meeting of the readers’ club (moderator and host — Y. Chametka, head of the Literature and Poetry Section of BINIM Canada), a discussion of K. Akula’s activities was held, in particular his book “Tomorrow is Yesterday”. Those present who had known the writer especially well (Ms. I. Survilla, Mr. P. Murzionak) shared that he had been a determined and distinctive person, notable both for his organizational talents (a founder of Belarusian associations in Britain and in Canada) and for his creative abilities (author of the trilogy “Haravatka” and the mentioned book written for an English-speaking readership). Mr. P. Murzionak read a poem dedicated to the writer and fellow countryman. At the gathering, which was attended by about 25 people, participants shared their impressions of the book they had read and reflected on the fate of those who were forced, against their will, to leave their homeland and live in foreign lands.
The journal “Culture. Nation” presents several materials relating to Mr. K. Akula: his son, G. Akula, shares his feelings about his father, the editor of the journal, P. Murzionak, contributes two photographs from his archive and a poem dedicated to the writer, Ms. V. Ipatava gave an interview to Mr. A. Karalkievich for “Culture. Nation”, and the editorial team has decided to include a very interesting and detailed article by S. Makarevich about K. Akula (previously published in the newspaper Nasha Niva on November 17, 2014).
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(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 214-217, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The editorial board of the journal Culture. Nation has decided to pay tribute to Iryna Farion and Andriy Parubiy — people who tragically perished for their convictions in life, which were dedicated to constant work for the benefit of the Ukrainian nation. Both made an immense contribution to the implementation of the Ukrainian language — the foundation of any nation — in the reality of modern life: Iryna Farion, as a professor and linguist, was a “tribune” and defender of her native language in Ukrainian society, while Andriy Parubiy, as the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, directly contributed to the adoption of laws that confirmed the status of Ukrainian as the sole state language. We also publish one of I. Farion’s striking articles and an annotation to this article.
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Irina Farion’s article (“Liliputs at War with Bandera”)
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 218–220, http://www.sakavik.net)
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Review for Irina Farion’s article (“Liliputs at War with Bandera”) by Y.Rapetski
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 221–223, http://www.sakavik.net)
The article is taken from documents of the Press service of the All-Ukrainian Union “Svoboda”
The article reminds the reader of the deep influence that a past leader and proponent of Ukrainian nationhood, S. Bandera, had on Ukrainians to create their own sovereign state. Slogans heard during the Maidan Protests were expressed earlier by Bandera and his fellow combatants for Ukraine. The author quotes from Bandera’s work entitled “Perspectives of Ukrainian Revolution.”
The author of the article mentions five main thoughts, expressed by Bandera, which have influenced Ukrainians greatly in their struggle for national freedom. First, Bandera expresses the opinion that Russians display imperialistic motives in relation to other people groups and are not willing to free themselves of such a desire even after hearing about the great cost to their countrymen in battle with other nations. Secondly, Bandera felt that any change from communism to another form of political governance in Russia will not change Russia’s imperialistic goals in relation to Ukraine. Thirdly, Hitler’s racist Nazism, at its core, did not differ much from Russian Bolshevism. Both sides adhered to their basic imperialistic mentality and goals. Fourthly, Moscow’s imperialistic drive endeavours to tear out of the souls of Ukrainians any nationalistic feeling for self governance, national worth and freedom. Fifthly, the Moscow regime strives to remove also the Ukrainians’ faith in God, tear out their souls, their spirituality and all thought of being a separate nation. Just before his own death, S. Bandera spoke over the grave of a well-known fighter for Ukraine and in his speech stated that despite such fellow contenders for Ukraine were being killed by enemies, it only served to unite the Ukrainians more to contend for their country and nationhood.
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Sergei Bessarab: National Academy of Sciences of BELARUS. Institutional Analysis
(webzine “Culture. Nation,” issue 36, November 2025, pp. 224–264, http://www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The article analyzes the financing and objective indicators of the achievements of the NAS of Belarus. The last section provides information about the repressions against scientists of the Academy after the Revolution-2020.
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Magazine “KULTURA, NATSYJA”,
Issue 35, April 2025
Piotra Murzionak: So, who?
(web magazine “Culture. Nation”, No. 35, April 2025, 5–20, www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The author includes an excerpt from his new book “Essays of a Belarusian”, which will be published soon. An attempt is made to analyze the reasons for the disagreement between the leaders of numerous Belarusian movements and structures both in the past and now, including the uncritical attitude of individual leaders towards each other and towards events related to the fate of the Belarusian nation and state. Mathematical calculations of the relative popularity of modern Belarusian politicians who claim to hold leading leadership positions are presented. The calculations show that in 2020, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaia had the greatest support among the Belarusian people – compared to other democratic leaders over the past 30 years. It seems that support for the National Leader remains high. Such support, along with the position she takes on many issues of foreign and domestic policy, should be considered by both her like-minded people and her opponents, who have not yet shown a desire to work together and effectively for the benefit of the Fatherland. A critical assessment of some steps taken by the Government of S. Tsikhanouskaia has been given and some proposals regarding the principles of the work of nationally conscious forces in modern conditions are put forward for discussion.
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Valery Grytsuk: The End of the Agent. Or Why Is Lukashenko Destroying Belarus?
(web magazine “Culture. Nation”, No. 35, April 2025, 21-26, www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The author analyzes the anti-national activities of the so-called “President of the Republic of Belarus” Alexander Lukashenko during different periods of his 30-year rule of the country. The author concludes that many facts indicate that his anti-national activities completely resemble the activities of a successful agent of the Russian “KGB-FSB”, which led to the gradual destruction of the Belarusian nation and the destruction of the Belarusian state. The fact that this is so confirmed by the Kremlin’s recent statements about the beginning of the “federalization” of the so-called Union State of Belarus and Russia. Belarusians must see the danger of the transformation of the “Republic of Belarus” into the “West Russian Region” (in history we already had a similar name for the “North-West Region” in the late 19th and early 20th centuries).
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Piotra Murzionak: DECLARATION OF THE BELARUSIAN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC – THE BREST PEACE – PRESENT (Report on the celebration of the National Day in Ottawa, March 30, 2025)
(webzine “Culture. Nation”, No. 35, April 2025, 27-41, www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The speaker recalled the main historical moments directly related to the period of the Declaration of Independence of the Belarusian Democratic Republic and the activities of the Secretariat (Government) of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. They were not only the German occupation, but also the fact that they took place against the backdrop of peace negotiations in Brest, which lasted for 3 months – from December 3, 1917, to March 3, 1918. The chronology of events during this short period is given. It was especially emphasized that the Belarusian lands and population were never under Russian occupation until 1795; in this regard, the author distinguishes three periods of colonial dependence on Russia in the history of Belarus (1795-1917, 1919-1995, and the modern one, which began on May 26, 1996). Brief information was provided about the national symbols – the white-red-white flag and the Coat of Arms “Pahonia”, which are inextricably linked today with issues of national identification and the implementation of the national idea.
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George Repetski: Humility – One Part of Biblical Godliness
(webzine “Culture. Nation”, No. 35, April 2025, 42-47, www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The author states that people who have converted to and believed in Jesus Christ according to Biblical teaching, are called to a new changed life of righteous living. To be converted to and to believe in Christ as personal Saviour is only the first step. Once converted the believer should begin to grow in Christian spirituality and character. Biblical authors encourage Christians to consistently develop in righteous “godliness,” which mirrors God’s and Christ’s character. So, what exactly is “godliness” and what are its ingredients? In this article the author suggests that one of its components is humility both before God and other people. The author directs the reader’s attention to various places in the Bible which speak about humility and explain how to demonstrate it in daily practical living.
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Aliaksandr Simakou: Physical anthropologists and Belarusian Indianists: correspondence and the Belarusian-Indian Bibliography
(webzine “Culture. Nation”, No. 35, April 2025, 48–60, www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. The purpose of this review of our correspondence, accompanied by entries from the “Belarusian Indian Bibliography” of the realities touched upon in it, is to organize the material and stimulate interest in anthropological American studies as a direction of research in Belarus that must develop. A few early letters are cited, and the experience of e-mail exchanges with anthropological themes is considered. When searching for these topics in the correspondence, among the most important are words with the stems anthropology (but the Latin versions anthropology, antropologia, as terms with a wider «study of man» scope, are of little help in it), race, skin. A selection of texts and a list of addressees and correspondents help to understand the scale: the number of our appeals to physical anthropologists is extremely modest, there are few requests and answers on anthropological issues, but revealing several outstanding representatives of the scientific discipline in Belarus, Poland and Russia allowed to add a significant amount of information to the history of Indianistics. The most important anthropologists related to Belarus and mentioned in the correspondence: L. Tsiagaka, I. Salivon, A. Mikulich, T. Chudziński, M. Ćwirko-Godycki, K. Stołyhwo, Ia. Roginskii, M. Levin, I. Silinich. Anthropological organizations among our recipients: the group (department) of anthropology in the system of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology (Moscow), Polish Anthropological Society, Anthropological Museum Montané (Havana), Kunstkamera, American Anthropological Association. The most urgent and practical needs for anthropological information arise from the collection of data for the most important projects related to the study of Belarusian Indian relations, especially direct contacts of Belarusians with Indians, when confirmation of Indian biological roots is often required.
Keywords. Physical, biological anthropology, Americanoid race, Indians, American studies, historiography, correspondence, bibliography.
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Piotra Murzionak: Kievan Rus (poem)
(web-magazine “Culture. Nation”, issue 35, April 2025, 61-68, www.sakavik.net)Abstract. A poem about the author’s attitude towards the war in Ukraine unleashed by the Russian aggressor.
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Celebration of the National Day-2025 in Canada (Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto)
(web-magazine “Culture. Nation”, issue 35, April 2025, 69-80, www.sakavik.net)
Abstract. One of the most important events in the life of Belarusian communities in Canada is the Celebration of National Day – the Day of the Declaration of Independence of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Belarusians of modern emigration throughout the world continue the traditions of interwar and post-war emigration by celebrating this Day. In conditions when, both in Soviet times and now, under the dictatorial regime, the solemn celebration of the National Day was and is prohibited at home, Belarusians in Canada celebrated the National Day-2025 with dignity in Ottawa, Toronto and Edmonton (read about this in the webzine “Kulture. Nation”, #35, April 2025).
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Magazine
“KULTURA, NATSYJA”,
Issue 28, November 2021
КУЛЬТУРА, НАЦЫЯ 