XXVI «Uzvyshauskiya chytannі» (Literacy and Literature) at the Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (BSAMLI)

Published: May 29, 2026

On May 28, 2026, the XXVI «Uzvyshauskiya chýtannі» (Literacy and Literature) conference, an annual interdisciplinary conference organized since 2000, was held at the Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (BSAMLI). It is dedicated to the study of the literary and creative association «Uzvysha», which played a significant role in the development of Belarusian culture from 1926 to 1931. This year, the conference participants had a special reason for discussion – the centenary of the association’s founding (May 26, 1926).

«Uzvysha» was a public association of young writers of the BSSR, whose members included such renowned writers as Kuzma Cherny, Zmitrok Byadulya, Vladimir Dubovka, Pyatro Glebka, Kondrat Krapiva, Adam Babarek, and others. The members of «Uzvysh» positioned themselves as representing a new stage in the development of Belarusian Soviet culture. The association produced a journal of the same name, whose circulation exceeded that of other Belarusian literary journals, such as «Polymya» and «Maladnyak». Active research into «Uzvysha» only began in the late 1980s. In May 2000, a special conference of researchers was organized at the Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (BSAMLI), who decided to make it permanent.

The conference, held on May 28, 2026, was opened with a welcoming address by E.A.Makarenko, Director of the Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art, who recalled the scholarly traditions of the archive and wished the participants success in their discussions. Plenary presentations by A.V.Zapartyko, Honorary Archivist of Belarus, former Director of the Belarusian State Archive of Photographic Literature and Literature (BSAMLI), and founder of the conference, as well as M.F.Shumeiko, Professor at Belarusian State University, focused on the historical context of Uzvysh’s activities.

The conference consisted of two sections. The first was dedicated specifically to the centenary. Participants examined Uzvysh’s linguistic, philosophical, and aesthetic influence on Belarusian national culture, as well as its contribution to the development of music and art. The second section, «Living Heritage», focused on the archival and documentary aspects of the research, as well as the work of the writers celebrating the centenary. A presentation by E.I.Tretyak, Leading Archivist at the Belarusian State Archive of Film, Photo, and Sound Documents, generated considerable interest. She presented copies of photographs, film, and sound recordings by Kondrat Krapiva.

At the conclusion of the conference, participants summarized the conference’s findings and identified future promising areas for research into the legacy of «Uzvysha». In honor of the Year of Belarusian Women, each participant received a rose as a gift.