Memorial reading highlights Belarusian culture and oppression at Tjarnarbíó in Reykjavik

A poignant event took place in Tjarnarbíó, Reykjavik, highlighting Belarusian culture and the brutal past of Soviet oppression. Organized by Victoria, a young Belarusian who relocated to Iceland in September to study Old Norse at the University of Iceland, the gathering marked the first memorial reading of poetry related to the atrocities in Belarus.

Eighty-seven years have passed since a mass execution resulted in the deaths of over a hundred Belarusian writers, poets, and artists as part of a Soviet crackdown on dissent. Annual poetry readings are held across Europe to commemorate these victims, and this event in Iceland aimed to draw attention to the ongoing political crisis in Belarus.

“What we want most is to raise awareness about the political situation in Belarus, and we’re starting a fundraising campaign for political prisoners there,” Victoria explained. The gathering featured not only Belarusian poetry but also works in Yiddish, Ukrainian, Russian, and Buryat, all of which were translated into English and Icelandic, representing voices silenced by oppression.

Victoria emphasized that Belarus is more than just the “last dictatorship in Europe,” a label often used to describe the nation. She expressed her disapproval of this description, stating that the culture and history of Belarus are rich and complex and should be acknowledged.

Historian Valur Gunnarsson, who also participated in the event, reflected on the cultural implications of such oppression. He noted that it is difficult for Icelanders to comprehend a similar cultural loss, drawing parallels to the potential disappearance of celebrated Icelandic literary figures during a similar crackdown. The event aimed to provide a voice to these lost poets and support the current 1,299 political prisoners in Belarus, reinforcing the importance of cultural expression in the face of adversity.