Gutenberg Co-founder on Repressions by the Authorities: They See a Threat to Their Power in Uniting Around the Belarusian Cause

Valentina Andreyeva, Editor-in-Chief of the publishing house. Photo from personal archive.

«The work will continue. Of course, we now need time and effort to take measures in connection with these events, to warn people, to close delivery to Belarus. To take such actions to ensure people's safety,» Valentina Andreyeva said. «Undoubtedly, some projects that we had planned with people who are, one way or another, more closely connected to Belarus, have now been halted, and currently we do not know how to resume them, or in what format to resume them, or to whom to transfer these projects accordingly. We do not yet have an answer to these challenges; we are thinking about it. Too little time has passed since this decision; we need to reflect, to see the prospects and problems.»

But overall, «this will not stop what we have been doing, it does not mean that we will stop publishing books.»

Valentina Andreyeva notes that she «does not see, does not feel, and does not understand any universal justice in such a decision, in such recognition of our publishing house.»

«It will simply require more resources, more effort, more caution, more attention to those involved in our activities. On the other hand, such a decision by the authorities once again emphasizes the value of Belarusian books, their importance, significance, and effectiveness in a humanistic way of seeing the world, in the kind of world we are building or want to build, let's say. And apparently, this is a great force,» she emphasized.

The recent wave of repressions against the Belarusian intelligentsia, including publishers, and the labeling of initiatives and publishing houses as extremists, is not a random coincidence, believes Valentina Andreyeva:

«I think we all became a little relaxed, we all forgot what caution means. And when the terrible news about Raman Tsymberau's death reached us, too many not only emotions, but also facts, evidence, and testimonies about our work and our circle poured out online. We opened up at that moment. Clearly, those who do not like what we do, those who would prefer Belarusian culture to diminish, noticed this and, probably, it was not to their liking, as they say. They probably saw a threat in this, as always, they see a threat in solidarity, in people being able to unite around values.

«They see a threat to their power in uniting around the Belarusian cause. As a result, this wave of repressions, but it is also proof that we are still united, we are still alive and active.»

As for the practical consequences, «yes, several authors said 'stop' to books that were almost ready.» «And this, of course, is a financial blow, among other things, because publishing processes cost money. And if the work was practically done, but we cannot publish the book, then, naturally, what was invested in those processes will not pay off. And it's simply a shame that we wanted to publish these books, but for now, we don't understand how to do it. Truth be told, we did not expect to be the first publishing house to become an 'extremist formation'. But we live where we live. We will continue our work,» said Valentina Andreyeva.

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