| 05.07.2010 |
Belarusian LACINKA - Its Second Wind
At the present time — in the beginning of the 21st century — practically all Belarusian-language, press and official texts are being printed in the Cyrillic alphabet. Yet Belarusian is one of the few Slavic languages with a tradition of TWO alphabets: Cyrillic and Roman (LACINKA). The latter has been used alongside with Cyrillic in Belarusian press in the beginning of the 20th century, until 1939 in Western Belarus. In the BSSR, the Cyrillic alphabet was used exclusively, as in line with the overall Soviet policy. |
| 12.10.2009 |
NATIONAL MINORITIES POLICIES IN LITHUANIA:
A SUCCESS STORY?
Part I of II
1. Preface
This text deals with the analysis of the scope of national minority rights in Lithuania. The text will be based on the Lithuanian domestic legislation, international legal mechanisms which Lithuania is a part of as well as works of Lithuanian and international scholars on this issue. Time framework is defined as that from the declaration of the independence of the Republic of Lithuania until now.
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| 27.12.2005 |
Union with Sweden - a Little Known Page in History
Excerpts from an RFE/RL interview
350 years ago, on October 20, 1655 the town of Kedainiai (located in today's Lithuania) witnessed the conclusion of the union agreement creating a federation of two European states - Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Litva. On Litva's side, the agreement was signed by 1172 representatives of Grand Duchy's nobility - more than ever participated in the election of a Polish King. |
| 21.01.2003 |
Kitabs, the Unique Phenomenon of the Belarusian Language in "Encyclopedia of the Belarusian language"
Kitabs are books written in Belarusian language using Arabic script. They were written mostly in the 16th century by the Tatars who lived in Belarus, in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, since 14-15th centuries and have gradually forgotten their native language. In order to preserve their religion they had to translate Koran and other sacred Islamic books into Belarusian language, but preserving the Arabic script. |
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