11th International Congress of Belarusian Studies

11th International Congress of Research on Belarus will be held in Gdańsk on September 22-24. As many as 300 scientists and experts from 22 countries will take part in the Congress, which is taking place in three establishments this year: European Solidarity Centre, Museum of the Second World War and Maritime Culture Centre – branch of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk. Founded in 2011, the Congress is the largest and most influential annual scientific and expert event dedicated to Belarus.

One of the most important tasks of the Congress is to prompt effective integration of researches and experts in political, social sciences and humanities. The Congress contributes to better understanding of Belarus in academic and public spheres in regional and world contexts. It is the only place in the world where the most representative numbers of Belarusian academic and social elites can, freely and independently from the influences of Belarusian authorities as well as other States, discuss history, politics, society and culture of Belarus.

The initiators and main organizers of the Congress are the Institute of Political Studies “Political Sphere” and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Institute. Various Belarusian, Lithuanian and Polish institutions as well as the organizations from other countries join the organizing committee depending on a situation: Vytautas Magnus University, European Humanities University, Vilnius University, Warsaw University, Colegium Civitas (Warsaw), Naša niva, Minsk Dialogue, Lithuanian Institute of History and others. The Congress has been supported by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, The German Marshall Fund, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others. This year the co-organisation is carried out by European Solidarity Centre, Museum of the Second World War and National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk.

The event is not only addressed to academic but also to a broader public. Topics from different fields are being discussed in the Congresses: political sciences, sociology, history, religion, philology and other.

Language policy:

The working languages of the Congress are Belarusan, Ukrainian, English, Lithuanian, Polish and Russian. Their usage depends on the composition of panel participants; each moderator decides on the language policy in their panel. The title marked in bold in the Congress’ program is written in the language of the presentation. No translation is organized except for the opening and the plenary session on the first day of the Congress, when synchronic translation from Belarusian to English and vice versa is available.

Locations:

M2WS – Museum of the Second World War, plac Władysława Bartoszewskiego 1, Gdańsk
ECS – European Solidarity Centre , plac Solidarności 1, Gdańsk
NMM – Maritime Culture Centre – National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk, Tokarska 21/25, Gdańsk

General Program:

Friday, September 22, 2023
09.00-10.00 Registration (M2WS)
10.00-13.00 Plenary Session (M2WS)
13.00-15.00 Lunch (M2WS Level -2)
15.00-16.30 Work in Sections (M2WS, ECS, NMM)
16.30-17.00 Coffee break
17.00-19.00 Work in Sections (M2WS, ECS, NMM)

Saturday, September 23, 2023
10.00-11.30 Work in Sections (M2WS, ECS, NMM)
11.30-12.00 Coffee break
12.00-13.30 Work in Sections (M2WS, ECS, NMM)
13.30-15.00 Lunch (M2WS Level -2)
15.00-16.30 Work in Sections (M2WS, ECS, NMM)
16.30-17.00 Coffee break
17.00-19.00 Presentations and Round Tables (M2WS)
19.30-21.00 Congress Award Ceremony. Reception (M2WS)

Sunday. September 24, 2023
10.00-12.00 Work in Sections (M2WS, ECS, NMM)
12.00-13.30 Congress Summary (M2WS)
13.30-15.00 Lunch (M2WS Level -2)

The detailed Sections and Panels Program is available on the International Congress of Belarussian Studies official website.