Historical Dictionary of Belarus

"The political map of Eastern Europe changed dramatically in December 1991 when the leaders of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine met in a Bielavieza Forest retreat and decided to dissolve the 15 union republics that composed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), One of those was the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR). A United Nations member since 1945, Belarus has a rich cultural heritage that is seen as a promising base for the development of a solid national identity and for real independence. This cultural heritage and sense of history nourishes the ongoing efforts of the nationalist minority, as well as the larger democratic opposition, to resist the regime of President Alaksandr Lukasenka, who is bent on restoring ties to Russia. Thus Belarus, with its burdens of the past and potential for the future, finds itself in a struggle that will affect not only its own destiny but also the international structure of Eastern Europe." "This second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Belarus - through its chronology, introduction, appendix, maps, bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on important people, places, events, and institutions, as well as the significant political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of the country - traces Belarus's history and provides a compass for the direction the country is heading."--BOOK JACKET.Silitski, Vitali is the author of 'Historical Dictionary of Belarus ', published 2007 under ISBN 9780810858121 and ISBN 0810858126.