Pavel Latushka: Deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador
Karatkevich, through his talent and mastery of the Belarusian language, showcased the uniqueness and richness of Belarusian national history and culture. His contributions have had a significant impact on the present and future of the Belarusian nation.
In 2010, during my tenure as Minister of Culture, I collaborated with like-minded individuals to initiate the publication of Uladzimir Karatkevich's renowned novel, "The Wild Hunt of King Stakh," simultaneously in Belarusian, Russian, Ukrainian, and English. The objective was to make the work available in both the native language and foreign languages, enabling people from other countries to become acquainted with Belarusian culture through the works of this esteemed Belarusian writer. The edition featured illustrations by Yuriy Yakovenko. Interestingly, thirteen years later, the classic book was sold for a significant sum at an auction, with the proceeds going toward supporting Belarusian political prisoners.
During my tenure, I also took the initiative to erect a monument to Uladzimir Karatkevich in Kyiv, Ukraine, as the writer had strong ties to the country. He graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Kyiv State University named after T. Shevchenko and wrote works in the Ukrainian language.
Today, representatives of Lukashenko's regime are attempting to remove Uladzimir Karatkevich's novel, "Spikes Under Your Sickle," from the school curriculum. This novel is one of the most famous works of the esteemed Belarusian author. Such actions undoubtedly reveal the true nature of the regime—an anti-Belarusian, anti-people, and anti-national stance. However, Belarusian culture cannot be destroyed. It withstood challenges a century ago and will continue to endure today. Thanks to individuals like Uladzimir Karatkevich, we can take pride in our cultural, literary, and historical heritage.
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