Pazniak presented the book "Vilenshchyna Beloved and Beautiful". It even contains poems in French
In Warsaw, the presentation of a new book by Zianon Pazniak, head of the "Free Belarus" movement, titled "Vilenshchyna Beloved and Beautiful", took place. The author reflected on the region's significance for Belarusians, spoke about the scent of the Homeland, writes "Belsat"
Dozens of people gathered in the "Vyrai" souvenir shop in the center of Warsaw, including not only Belarusians but also Poles. The audience consisted of people of absolutely different ages. Just before the start, there were no seats left in the small room, and some had to stand near the entrance.
The book "Vilenshchyna Beloved and Beautiful" gathers over 70 poems in Belarusian, Polish, and even French under one cover. Works of various poetic forms are imbued with love for the author's native places. It was in Vilenshchyna that Zianon Pazniak was born and spent his youth. The author noted that he fondly remembers his native Subotniki and regrets that he might never again see the family home where he was born and grew up.
Reflecting on the book's theme and title, the author immediately made it clear that Vilenshchyna is not merely a tribute to youthful sentiments. Pazniak is convinced that this region is the true heart of Belarus. It is simply impossible to detach it from the history of the entire nation.
"Vilenshchyna is a beautiful, unique land, where the scent of the Grand Duchy lingers. Vilenshchyna is a distinctive region. Since ancient times, people around Vilnius have lived with the feeling that it is the center of the universe. Vilnius is our everything," says Pazniak.
He recalls that during Soviet times, there was a bus route from his native Subotniki to Vilnius. The bus would arrive at the station, "spend the night there," and return. Pazniak semi-jokingly remembers that in his childhood, it seemed as if Subotniki and Vilnius were two capitals.
Reflecting on the region's peculiarities, the author mentioned local identity (tuteyšasć). He believes that in the region, belonging specifically to that land is important. This is how Vilnius residents distinguished "their own" from "outsiders". Regardless of what language a person spoke, they were treated with trust if they were "from here". Even if someone was a "zhahun" — this is how Lithuanians were called in Vilenshchyna.
Belarus Smells of Lilacs
A significant part of the lyricism in the new book is dedicated to the delight of the Homeland's scents. Pazniak notes that the scents of his native land are unmistakable; if he were brought home blindfolded, he would immediately recognize his native places. He recalled how, during his student years, he could travel 6 hours from Minsk to Subotniki. Opening the bus window, he would feel that he was already approaching Yuratsishki. "'I close my eyes and I will tell you where I am. This is not a pathetic image. The Homeland smells,' Pazniak asserts."
Recalling his years of forced emigration, the author says that he traveled through Vilenshchyna almost every year. He would rent a car and drive around the area. Pazniak recalls that breathing in those scents was vitally necessary.
"'For me, Belarus smells of lilacs, because it is my favorite scent,' says Zianon Pazniak."
To Know the Fatherland, One Must Walk
Zianon Pazniak shared the secret that walking helped him deeply love and understand his homeland. He often walked 16 kilometers around the area.
"To know Belarus, you don't even need a bicycle. You need to walk, and I really like that," says Pazniak.
He believes that in this way, the Belarusian land almost entered his blood.
A stroll always helps to meet and chat with people. Conversation facilitates not only personal acquaintance but also observations of language and way of thinking. Pazniak recalled meeting a Braslaw shepherd with eyes "the color of local lakes," who gave directions with the words: "Well, I'll tell you, sir — you just go ahead."
If a visitor to the evening had not known that Pazniak is a political figure, they could easily have thought he exclusively engaged in art. So movingly did he read his own works and share stories from his life. The participants of the presentation even postponed their applause until the very end of the meeting. And when heavy rain started outside the window, it seemed like the best accompaniment or even the beat for the poetry.
On the Difficulties of Emigration
During the presentation, Zianon Pazniak reflected on the difficulties of emigration. For him, poems became not only memories but also a unique encounter with Vilenshchyna.
"'Emigration is first and foremost psychologically difficult. It is the most terrible and heavy pain, because the soul aches. It aches, although it eventually passes,' says Zianon Pazniak."
He noted that the first 2-3 years after leaving Belarus were the most difficult for him.
On the Spirit of Vilnius and the Interesting 50s
Artistically reading poems about Vilnius from different years, Pazniak noted that the city had changed greatly since their acquaintance. According to the politician, the most interesting time for the ancient capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) fell in the 1950s. He believes that for Vilnius, this was a time of optimism and brightness. A time of awakening after a bloody war.
The author asserts that a city is defined not so much by its architecture as by the people who live in it. That is why he speaks of the distinctive 50s. The streets of Vilnius were then full of people speaking Belarusian dialects or Polish-Belarusian trasianka.
The politician sadly stated that Vilnius has changed greatly since then. "'There are few people, and the city is relatively empty. That spirit is no longer heard,' the author of the book sadly notes."
Pazniak says that the city has seemingly become cold. It's as if the architecture remained, and even an excellent reconstruction took place, but the soul of the old city has vanished.