A Belarus book publisher, Januškevic Publishing House, has been recognized by the Association of American Publishers with the International Freedom to Publish Award. This prestigious award is bestowed upon non-U.S. publishers who exhibit courage and resilience in upholding freedom of expression.
Founded by Andrej Januškevic a decade ago, the publishing house faced persecution from the Belarusian government due to its promotion of literature in the Belarusian language, which the authorities deemed controversial. In 2022, Januškevic was arrested and imprisoned for selling books in Belarusian, leading him to seek refuge in Poland to continue his publishing endeavors.
Januškevic Publishing House, along with several other publishers, had their licenses revoked by Belarus officials, rendering it illegal for them to operate within the country. Despite facing censorship, incarceration, and exile, the leaders of the publishing house remained steadfast in their commitment to providing readers with Belarusian literature.
Maria Pallante, CEO and president of the Association of American Publishers, commended Januškevic Publishing House for their unwavering dedication to preserving the Belarusian language and culture. She highlighted the publisher's resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing their role in offering comfort to citizens in Belarus and hope to those living in exile.
Andrej Januškevic expressed his belief in the power of the Belarusian language to illuminate the nation's heritage and unite its people. Through his publishing efforts, he aims to serve as a beacon of light for both residents of Belarus and those forced to live outside their homeland.
