Ales Bialiatski became the winner of the Aliakhnovich Prize

On the International Day of the Imprisoned Writer, the Belarusian PEN and Radio Svaboda announced the winners and laureates of the Frantsishak Aliakhnovich Literary Prize for the best works written by imprisoned authors. 

According to the organizers of the ceremony, this year the nominees or their relatives were offered anonymity for the sake of security and guaranteed confidentiality. For this reason, the names of some winners and laureates are hidden under pseudonyms, and the names of their works are not announced. The names will be published only when it becomes safe for the authors of the works. The winners and laureates were determined by the Rada of the Belarusian PEN.

Thus, the winners of the current literary prize named after Frantsishak Aliakhnovich for the best work written by an imprisoned author were:

• Ales Bialiatski — Memories of the Maksim Bahdanovich Museum.

Ales Bialiatski, 1989

• Aleh Hruzdilovich — The book My prison walls.

• Mark Kalosok — A book (the title is not public).

• Volha Klaskouskaya — Prison diaries.

• Chronicler — Notes (the title is not public).

• Nikola Tesla — A book (the title is not public).

Among the winners of Frantsishak Aliakhnovich literary prize for the best work written by an imprisoned author were:

• Uladzimir Hundar — a poem.

• Andrei Kuznechyk — poems.

• Mr. Lapychau — poems.

• Illia Mironau — poem Do you think this does not happen?, notes.

• Pavel Seviarynets – poems.

• Anatol Khinevich – poem Look in the Mirror at Your Own Face.

• Siarhei Tsikhanouski – poems.

• Max V. Detta – poems.

Commenting on the selection of the jury, the chair of the Belarusian PEN Tatsiana Niadbai said:

"This year, when announcing the winners and laureates, we celebrate not only the literary skill, but also the unwaivering spirit of authors writing in captivity. Each page of their works is not just words, but a reflection of their struggle for freedom of thought and expression. By presenting this award, we not only celebrate their talent, but also support their unyielding desire for freedom."

The ongoing repression, arrests of authors and publishers over the past 2022 have made it almost impossible for the works written in captivity to appear in public. In total, according to the Belarusian PEN, there are 30 "people of the word" in captivity: writers, translators and researchers of literature, publicists, intellectuals, as well as those who create and expand culture, protect the word and its masters.