EHU AND LITHUANIAN SCHOLARS EXHIBIT NEW FACTS ABOUT THE BELARUSIAN NATIONAL REPUBLIC
Jan. 17, at the department of Slavonic Studies at the Czech National Library in Prague, European Humanities University (EHU), in cooperation with the Lithuanian National Archive, hosted an exhibition – The Unknown National Republic of Belarus – aimed to shed light on the history of the Belarusian nation state. The exhibition organised by EHU in cooperation with the Embassy of Lithuania in Prague, Embassy of Czech Republic in Vilnius, and the Czech National Library displayed the latest findings underlining the early 20th century Belarusian desire to build a self-determined state.
The exhibition was opened by Lukas Babka, director of the Slavonic Studies at the Library, and the vice-rector of EHU, Darius Udrys.
Speaking on the occasion, Aurimas Taurantas, the Ambassador of Lithuania to the Czech Republic, remarked that functioning of such institutions like EHU events allow Belarusians to gain experience of academic and creative freedom, free speech, thorough critical thinking and social activities. He added that it is essential in fulfilling EHU’s mission.
According to the Ambassador, the university that has been exiled to Vilnius since 2004 is one of the most successful projects supported by the EU Commission, EU member states, and United States. It is important to continue its development.
Petr Mareš, Special Envoy for Eastern Partnership at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was there to represent the Czech government’s support for EHU and other Belarusian projects that promote democracy.
The findings displayed at the exhibition were introduced by Yuri Bachyshcha, history professor at EHU. More specifically, they account that the grassroots of the Belarusian statehood – the people’s aspiration to create their own nation state – were formed early in the 20th century.
