"This is my personal challenge." A Polish Guide Conducts Tours of Warsaw in Belarusian
When a tour in Belarusian starts in Warsaw, not everyone immediately realizes that the guide is Polish. Albert Jerzy Wierzbicki has been conducting city tours for Belarusians since 2022 — and during this time has become a well-known figure in Warsaw's Belarusian diaspora. He speaks Belarusian calmly and confidently. And it seems that for tour participants, this is no longer a sensation — rather a natural part of their new Warsaw life. He told the Most publication why he almost never repeats routes, why he takes Belarusians to unpopular places, and how Warsaw's history resonates with people who have experienced emigration and repression.
Albert Jerzy Wierzbicki. Photo from his archive
Albert is a Polish guide and translator. He conducts tours in Belarusian for Belarusians who found themselves in Poland after 2020. He was born in the town of Garwolin not far from Warsaw, and studied Belarusian language and culture at the University of Warsaw.
"Belarusians don't know Polish well yet"
For Albert, launching tours in Belarusian was primarily practical.
"Belarusians don't know Polish well yet, so I decided to speak Belarusian," he explains.
Albert Jerzy Wierzbicki. Photo from his archive
But it very quickly became clear: it wasn't just about convenience. The first tours attracted an unexpectedly large number of people — up to 20 per group.
"I was touched by how strongly people responded. I didn't expect such interest. They were interested not only in what is usually told to tourists, but also in the history, cultural context, everything connected with the place where they now live."
Soon, the tours stopped being a monologue by the guide: Belarusians asked many questions, wanted to understand connections, and often already had their own knowledge about the city.
"I try to show what is not on the surface"
Albert's routes almost never repeat. Even the most popular one — Powiśle — is not the classic Old Town and not a set of "must-see" attractions.
"I don't like to take people where everyone has already been. I try to show what is not on the surface. I'm more interested in unpopular places — those that people pass by every day and don't notice," he says.
For Belarusians who have only recently moved to Warsaw, such routes often become the first step towards their personal map of the city.
Albert Jerzy Wierzbicki. Photo from his archive
"You can pay as much as you want"
Most often, Albert is joined not by organized groups, but by individuals: in pairs, with friends, sometimes those who have been before.
"I organize tours where you can come regardless of the number of people and then pay what you want. People aren't necessarily looking for a Belarusian circle here. They are already integrating, finding friends at work, in local communities. And tours are simply an opportunity to be in the city and meet new people."
People come primarily for the tour — not "for a meeting." But a shared interest in history often does its job — and acquaintances are made.
When Warsaw Resonates with Trauma
Some topics in Warsaw's history are particularly painful for Belarusians today.
"The history of communism, the 1980s, 'Solidarity' — this resonates very strongly," says Albert.
Albert Jerzy Wierzbicki. Photo from his archive
One of the most difficult tours took place in the former prison for political prisoners in Mokotów, which is now a museum.
"The guide told with horror about the conditions in which people were held. And next to them stood Belarusians who had gone through Akrestsina and other prisons in 2020. I was in shock: what became a museum for us is still happening in the neighboring country."
Cemeteries — A Test of Readiness to Remember
There are routes that are more difficult for Belarusians.
"Belarusians don't really like to visit cemeteries," admits Albert. "But I try to encourage it."
For him, it's a route connected not with death, but with understanding history and the city.
"Cemeteries are a part of Warsaw and its memory. But I see that for my audience, this is not an easy format."
Perhaps it's not just unwillingness. People with experience of emigration and repression are often tired of death and loss; they feel that there is already too much pain and memory in their lives. And yet Albert doesn't abandon such routes — because he believes that without memory, it's impossible to understand the place where you live.
Working with the Belarusian audience also changed his own perception of Warsaw.
"Now I see the history of Warsaw as a shared one — not just Polish. It's a history connected with countries to the east of Poland as well. I always look for moments that unite us."
Albert Jerzy Wierzbicki with a book by Polish-Belarusian writer Siarhiej Piasecki. Photo from his archive
"My mission is to Belarusianize Belarusians"
For Albert, these tours were more than just work from the very beginning.
"My main mission is to Belarusianize Belarusians themselves. This is my personal challenge. People have left a country where Russification is strong. But in Poland, you can live freely, view the world, and gain knowledge in Belarusian. If you are Belarusian, it's logical to speak Belarusian. And it's important to me that people receive content about the place where they now live, precisely in this language," says Albert.
He doesn't aim to "just complete a route."
"I want people to discover the city themselves. On every tour, I recommend a cafe, a museum, a cultural center, or an exhibition. It's important to me that at least one person discovers one new place after the tour."