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News

19.11.2025. Two new books on the list of “extremist materials”

On November 13 the Ministry of Information updated the list of “extremist materials” and added two new books: Sasha Filipenko, Red Crosses (Kraków: «Gutenberg», 2025) Sasha Filipenko, The Elephant (Kraków: «Gutenberg», 2025) Sasha Filipenko is a Belarusian writer, journalist, TV host, PEN Belarus member. He is the author of the novels The Elephant, Red Crosses, Extermination, Former Son, Ideas, Return to

15.11.2025. Report from an exhibition of banned books

On 15 November 2025, an exhibition dedicated to banned books in Belarus was presented in Gdańsk. The exhibition opened as part of the award ceremony for the winners of the Jerzy Giedroyc Prize, the largest Belarusian literary award. So, what did visitors at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk discover when confronted with a visual

03.11.2025. New book on the list of “extremist materials”

Today it became known that on November 3, 2025, by the decision of the Leninsky District Court of Mahiloŭ, a new book was added to the list of “extremist materials.” There They Are, and Here We Are: Belarusian Poetry and Poems of Solidarity, Edited and compiled by V. Korkunov. Afterword by U. Verina (Moscow: Nedovolny, 2021)

06.10.2025. Three new books on the list of “extremist materials”

On September 26 the Ministry of Information updated the list of “extremist materials” and added three new books: Valer Hapiejeŭ, Volniery. The Harbinger (Januškievič, 2023) Valer Hapiejeŭ, Volniery. The Endless Day (Januškievič, 2024) Douglas E. Nash & Remy Spezzano, Kampfgruppe Mühlenkamp: 5th SS Panzer Division “Wiking”, Eastern Poland, July 1944 (2020) Among these books is a finalist of

01.10.2025. Three new books on the list of “extremist materials”

Yesterday it became known that on September 26 the Ministry of Information updated the list of “extremist materials” and added three new books: Timothy Snyder, On Freedom (Kyiv: Nash Format, 2023(?)) Valancin Akudovič, The Code of Absence (Łohvinaŭ) Valancin Akudovič, One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy (Łohvinaŭ) Among these books is the winner of the largest

30.09.25. 32 new books added to the official list of those “harmful to national interests”

On September 30, 2025, 32 new books were added to the list of printed publications that, according to the authorities, “may harm the national interests of the Republic of Belarus,” including two books by PEN Belarus member Sasha Filipenko: Day of the Dead. A Book with Fascinating Tasks – comp. S.A. Stankevich The Elephant –

10.09.2025. Three new books on the list of “extremist materials”

Today it became known that on September 10, by the decision of the Minsk’s Zavodski District Court, three new books were added to the list of “extremist materials.” Rainer Zitelmann, “Hitler: The Worldview of a Revolutionary” (Moscow: Socium, 2023(?)) Hermann Hoth, “The Collapse of Operation Barbarossa” (Moscow: Yauza-Press, 2025) Wilhelm von Leeb, Franz Halder, “The

4.09.25. New Analytical Report “The Belarusian book under repression”

Read on our website the new analytical report “The Belarusian book under repression.” The year 2020 marked a turning point for Belarusian culture. Progress that had been made – limited though it was under an authoritarian regime – did not merely stall; structures created by the independent cultural sector were effectively dismantled, as was the

2.09.2025. Opening of the Exhibition “Belarus. Voices of Banned Books”

On September 2, PEN Belarus presented an exhibition dedicated to books banned in Belarus at the opening of the 91st PEN International Congress in Kraków. We are deeply grateful to our partners from PEN Poland and PEN International for their support in organizing the exhibition. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all visitors for

31 new books added to the official list of those “harmful to national interests”

On August 4, 2025, 31 new books were added to the list of printed publications that, according to the authorities, “may harm the national interests of the Republic of Belarus”: Blood Cruise – Mats Strandberg The Will – Nina Wähä Buttons and Rage: Her Heart. His Revenge – Penelope Sky Buttons and Lace: Her Debt.