Soft Power In Belarus: A Gentle Revolution

Soft Belarusification or soft Belarusization is an element of the domestic policy of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. It involves a gradual increase in the presence of the Belarusian language and a partial reversal of the ages of Russification of Belarus. The first signs of this shift were noticed in 2014 when Lukashenko, for the first time, gave the Independence Day speech in Belarusian. The Belarusian government has also become involved in the promotion of vyshyvanki, traditional embroidered Belarusian clothes, and their ornamentation. This shift in ideological discourse is an attempt to enhance the national identity of Belarus and distance the country from Russia.

Soft Belarusification/Belarusianisation

Soft Belarusification or Soft Belarusization is an element of the domestic policy of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. It is aimed at the gradual increase of the presence of the Belarusian language and a partial reversal of the ages of Russification of Belarus.

The first signs of this shift were noticed in 2014 when Lukashenko, for the first time, gave the Independence Day speech in Belarusian. There are several explanations given to this change. Lukashenko himself said it is a warning for those who "encroach on the unity of the nation". Alexander Yarashevich thinks it is an attempt to distance Belarus from Russia in view of the recent events in Ukraine. It is also explained as an attempt to enhance the national identity of Belarus by catering to nationalist-oriented opposition movements.

The 2019 document "Doctrine of Information Security of the Republic of Belarus" says:

> The Belarusian language, along with constitutionally established bilingualism in the state, contributes to enhancing national identity of the Belarusian society and formation of its spirituality. Expansion of social functions and communicative possibilities of the Belarusian language, its full and comprehensive development alongside other elements of national culture act as a guarantor of the state’s humanitarian security.

At the same time, Belarusian officials use evasive language to indicate that "soft Belarusization" means neither distancing from Russia nor a definite turn to the West.

There has also been an observed shift in the attitude towards historical Belarusian symbols and events, which were a sharp rift between the Belarusian establishment and the opposition, including the white-red-white flag and the anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic.

Two new monuments, to Tadeusz Kościuszko and to Duke Algirdas, are also viewed as an element of enhancing Belarusian identity as well as a confrontation with the Russian World. Kościuszko led a 1794 uprising against the Russian Empire and Algirdas expanded the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with the lands of modern Belarus.

The scope of "soft Belarusization" remains limited. In particular, in 2019, the draft law about the state support of the Belarusian language was not accepted.

Even this "soft" policy caused enough criticism from Russia that Lukashenko himself spoke out:

> It's disgusting to listen to some of the Russian partisan “tongues” that we've almost got soft Belarusization going on here, that we have something else going on here, that we are almost U-turning somewhere.

Russian critics see this policy as Lukashenko's shift away from his support of the Belarus-Russia integration strategy.

Gradual increase of the Belarusian language

Soft Belarusization or soft Belarusification is a domestic policy of President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, aimed at the gradual increase of the presence of the Belarusian language and a partial reversal of the ages of Russification of Belarus. The first signs of this shift were noticed in 2014 when Lukashenko, for the first time, gave the Independence Day speech in Belarusian. Lukashenko himself stated that it serves as a warning for those who "encroach on the unity of the nation". This shift in language policy also indicates a move away from Russia, enhanced national identity, and a catering to nationalist-oriented opposition movements.

The Belarusian government has been promoting the Belarusian language and culture on a large scale, including traditional embroidered clothing called vyshyvanki. This shift in focus towards strengthening national identity and diverging from Russian interests is a notable change in the ideological discourse of the Belarusian government. Previously, the Belarusian regime's ideology fought against the version of the national idea that emphasised the Belarusian language and was critical of the Russian imperial eras in Belarus's history. Instead, it promoted a version where the central element was the modern Belarusian state, which owed its existence to Bolshevik power.

In 2014, Lukashenko publicly criticised Russia for violating international law regarding the annexation of Crimea, marking a shift in rhetoric and an ideological conflict between Lukashenko and Putin. Lukashenko has also made statements acknowledging the importance of the Belarusian language for national identity, such as "If we forget how to speak in Belarusian, we will cease to be a nation."

The 2019 "Doctrine of Information Security of the Republic of Belarus" emphasises the role of the Belarusian language in enhancing national identity and states that its expansion alongside other elements of national culture acts as a guarantor of the state's humanitarian security. However, the scope of "soft Belarusization" remains limited, as seen in 2019 when the draft law about state support of the Belarusian language was not accepted.

Partial reversal of Russification

The term "Russification" refers to a form of cultural assimilation in which non-Russians give up their culture and language in favour of Russian culture and language. This can occur either involuntarily or voluntarily. In the context of Belarus, Russification has been a historical process of cultural and linguistic domination by Russia, often competing with nationalist movements in the country.

Since gaining independence, Belarus has implemented policies to decrease the influence of Russia and promote its national identity, in what has been termed "soft Belarusization" or "soft Belarusification". This shift became noticeable in 2014 when, for the first time, President Alexander Lukashenko delivered his Independence Day speech in Belarusian. This marked a departure from his previous language policy, which favoured Russification.

The Belarusian government has actively promoted the Belarusian language and traditional cultural elements, such as embroidery. There has also been a shift in attitude towards historical symbols and events, with a focus on enhancing Belarusian identity and distancing the country from Russia, particularly in light of recent events in Ukraine.

While "soft Belarusization" does not signal a complete break from Russia, it indicates an attempt to strengthen national identity and sovereignty. This includes a re-examination of historical narratives to emphasise the distinctiveness of Belarusian history from that of Russia. The government's ideological discourse has evolved to emphasise the divergence of Belarus's interests from those of Russia, marking a shift from previous rhetoric that portrayed the West as an enemy.

The scope of "soft Belarusization" remains limited, and Belarus continues to maintain close economic, military, and political ties with Russia. However, the partial reversal of Russification represents an effort by the Belarusian government to enhance national identity and assert its independence, while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.

Strengthening national identity

Soft Belarusification is an element of the domestic policy of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. It is aimed at strengthening the national identity of Belarus by increasing the presence of the Belarusian language and reversing the ages of Russification of Belarus. The first signs of this shift were noticed in 2014 when Lukashenko gave the Independence Day speech in Belarusian. Since then, the Belarusian government has actively promoted traditional Belarusian culture, including embroidered clothing known as vyshyvanki, and historical symbols such as the white-red-white flag and the anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic.

To strengthen the national identity of Belarus, the government can continue to promote and celebrate Belarusian culture and history. This can include encouraging the use of the Belarusian language, supporting traditional arts and crafts, and recognising important historical events and figures. Additionally, the government can foster a sense of community and shared values among Belarusians by organising social events, initiatives, and campaigns that bring people together and promote unity and pride in their country.

Another strategy to strengthen national identity is to build a sense of distinction from neighbouring countries, particularly Russia, with which Belarus has had a complex and sometimes contentious relationship. This can be achieved by emphasising the unique aspects of Belarusian history, culture, and language that set it apart from other nations. For example, the government can promote the idea that Belarusian identity is distinct from Russian or Soviet identity and that Belarus is an independent and sovereign nation.

Furthermore, the government can work to improve relations with Western countries, as this can also contribute to strengthening Belarus's national identity by positioning the country as a distinct entity in the global arena. This can involve diplomatic efforts, cultural exchanges, and economic partnerships with Western nations. Additionally, the government can encourage Belarusian citizens living abroad, especially in Western countries, to maintain and promote their cultural heritage and national identity, thereby strengthening the global presence and influence of Belarus.

Lastly, the government can invest in education and raise awareness about Belarus's history, culture, and national symbols among its citizens. This can involve revising school curricula to include more comprehensive and accurate information about Belarus's historical and cultural heritage, as well as promoting educational programmes, workshops, and cultural exchanges that enhance knowledge and appreciation of Belarus's national identity. By empowering citizens with knowledge and a sense of pride in their country, the government can foster a stronger and more unified national identity.

Divergence of interests from Russia

Over the past few years, the ideological discourse of the Belarusian government has undergone a noticeable shift, with a greater focus on strengthening national identity and emphasising the divergence of Belarus's interests from those of Russia. This "soft Belarusization" or "soft Belarusification" involves a partial reversal of the ages of Russification in the country. This shift first became apparent in 2014 when President Alexander Lukashenko delivered his Independence Day speech in Belarusian. Lukashenko himself attributed this change to a warning for those threatening "the unity of the nation". Others interpreted it as an attempt to distance Belarus from Russia, particularly in light of the events in Ukraine at the time.

This new direction in ideological discourse indicates the regime's exploration of new ways to arrange its relationships, both domestically and with Western countries. While the authorities are not necessarily prepared for systemic changes, they are emphasising the distinctiveness of Belarusian history and culture.

One notable aspect of this shift is the government's attitude towards the Belarusian language and culture. A large-scale campaign promoting the Belarusian language is underway, along with the encouragement of traditional embroidered Belarusian clothing, known as vyshyvanki. Belarusian officials, while not explicitly promoting friendship with the West, have also refrained from referring to it as an "enemy", marking a departure from previous rhetoric.

The divergence of interests between Belarus and Russia is further highlighted by ideological conflicts between Presidents Lukashenko and Putin, particularly following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Lukashenko has publicly accused Russia of violating international law and has challenged the Russian propaganda narrative surrounding Crimea. Additionally, criticisms of Kremlin policies and influential Russian ideologues have appeared in Belarusian government media, signalling a change in rhetoric towards Russia.

In terms of geopolitical positioning, Belarus no longer considers the West as a clear enemy and views Russia as less of an unambiguous friend. This evolution in the Belarus-Russia relationship reflects a complex dynamic where interests may diverge, despite their close cultural affinity and intertwined economies.

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