The Silent Erasure: Belarusian Identity Under Russian Influence

Mikalay, a 15-year-old from Belarus, is witnessing the eradication of his cultural identity as his school and country undergo a new wave of Russification. With the Russian language and culture increasingly dominating Belarusian society, residents struggle to maintain their national identity amidst political and economic pressure from Moscow.

Mikalay, a 15-year-old student in Belarus, discovered this year that his teachers and administrators no longer called him by his Belarusian name. Instead, they used Nikolai, its Russian equivalent. This change is part of a broader policy shift where classes at his prestigious school are now taught in Russian, rather than Belarusian.

Belarusians like Mikalay are facing a new wave of Russification as Moscow expands its influence over the nation's economic, political, and cultural landscapes. Historically, Russia has imposed its language and symbols on Belarus, but the country had started to reclaim its identity after the dissolution of the USSR.

However, since Alexander Lukashenko came to power in 1994, Belarus has seen a resurgence of Russian influence. The education system, official business, and media are now predominantly Russian. Human rights advocates and cultural figures warn that this shift threatens the nation's identity, while opposition leaders argue that Belarusian cultural heritage is being systematically eroded by Moscow.

(With inputs from agencies.)