World Association of Belarusians

The World Association of Belarusians "Baćkaŭščyna" (Belarusian pronunciation: [ˈbatsʲkau̯ʂtʂɨna], lit. "Fatherland") (Belarusian: Згуртаваньне Беларусаў Сьвету "Бацькаўшчына") is an international organisation uniting people of Belarusian descent globally.^[1] Currently 135 organisations of the Belarusian diaspora from 28 countries are members of Baćkaŭščyna.

The organization was founded in 1990 and promotes Belarusian culture at home and abroad by publishing numerous books and organizing conferences, including World Congresses of Belarusians, which take place every five years.

The current President of Baćkaŭščyna is Alena Makoŭskaja.^[2] The Head of Council is Nina Šydłoŭskaja.^[3]

On 24 September 2021, the Supreme Court of Belarus liquidated the World Association of Belarusians. Its office in Minsk was previously searched and sealed.^[4]

Literature

Silitski, Vitali; Zaprudnik, Jan (2010). The A to Z of Belarus (The A to Z Guide Series). Lanham: Scarecrow Press. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-0810872004.

References

^ "Alyaksei Marachkin Elected Head of "Batskaushchyna"". Charter 97. 2005-07-20. Archived from the original on 2006-02-25. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
^ "Alyaksei Marachkin: "Congress of Belarusians of the world sometimes reminded Communist party rally"". Charter 97. 2009-07-20. Archived from the original on 2009-09-17. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
^ "VI з'езд беларусаў свету". Nasha Slova (in Belarusian). 31 (1130). 2013-07-31.
^ Белорусские власти ликвидировали "Згуртаванне беларусаў свету "Бацькаўшчына"