The presentation of renowned historian Yuri Felshtinsky’s book “Natalia Radina’s Belarus” took place on Thursday, September 24, in the Polish city of Wrocław.

The special guests were the editor-in-chief of the Charter97.org website, Natalia Radina, world and European swimming champion and Olympic medalist Alexandra Gerasimenya, and coordinator of the “European Belarus” civic campaign Yevgeny Afnahel.

Former political prisoners, well-known athletes, activists, and bloggers attended the meeting at the office of the “Association of Belarusians of Wrocław.” The book presentation turned into a lively discussion held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

One of the topics was the history of Belarus and the most significant events that took place after it gained independence. The participants asked many questions about what is currently happening among the democratic forces in our country and in the independent media. The discussion touched on the use of nonviolent resistance methods in the modern world and opposition to official propaganda. They discussed the future of Belarus and the opportunities available today to our compatriots in exile.

“Two hours flew by in an instant—it was so unusual, the things we talked about at the meeting. This was probably the first event of its kind in our city that was not only an engaging and interesting discussion about what concerns us all, but also made us think about what each of us can do to bring change closer,” said one of the meeting’s participants, a former political prisoner who had recently been released.

“Meetings like these—a lively, emotional discussion about what is happening inside the country, in the diaspora, and in the media—have become rare lately. Yet it is precisely such meetings that help find new ideas and tools to bring change in Belarus closer. We Belarusians all very much need a conversation about the future of our country,” commented a former member of the “Zubr” movement, who emigrated to Poland after 2006 but continues to take an active part in the life of the diaspora.

A detailed report on the presentation of the book “Natalia Radina’s Belarus” in Wrocław will be published on the Charter97.org website in the coming days.