The concept of the "Russian world" in the assessments of Belarusian researchers

In: Studium Europy Środkowej i Wschodniej, S. 41-55

Abstract

A characteristic trend of the contemporary information space of Belarus is the promotion of narratives of the «Russian world». In parallel with the penetration and dissemination of relevant ideas in the Belarusian media, studies devoted to the study of the concept of the «Russian world» are beginning to appear in Belarusian historiography. Some Belarusian researchers try to adapt the ideas of the Russian world to the contemporary political realities of Belarus. This is manifested in the use of theses about a common history, the imposition of beliefs that Belarusians and Russians are one people, and Russian is the native language for Belarusians. Such theses take place in the context of the Belarusian academic humanities, which often, following the Soviet tradition, ideologically serves the political slogans of contemporary pro-Russian (including pro-government) circles in Belarus through a peculiar interpretation of historical facts and their adaptation to nowadays socio-political processes. At the same time, it is also worth noting the presence of different, more academic views, interpretations and approaches that take place when Belarusian researchers try to study and comprehend this phenomenon.