За Свабоду (For Freedom)
Vilnius, 2021—2022

In August 2020 Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who has been ruling in Belarus since 1994, was re-appointed president by the electoral commission, having won 80% of the vote. Internationally, this election result was considered fraudulent, and it sparked a wave of nationwide demonstrations in Belarus itself. Even peaceful protesters are threatened with repression or jail sentences by the autocratic state.

Already in July 2021, as a reaction to the sanctions against his country, Aliaksandr Lukashenka threatened that he would no longer stop refugees and migrants from trying to enter the EU. In November 2021, news about asylum seekers on the border between Belarus and Poland hit the international headlines. However, there is another group of migrants from within Belarus itself who have fled their country: hundreds of thousands of Belarusian citizens from various professional and age groups. They now live in exile abroad, mostly in neighbouring countries. They have joined a migration movement that was already underway before the 2020 presidential election, prompted by political, economic or educational factors.

Once in exile, the refugees have hardly any personal belongings. They consider their mostly small, furnished rental flats as a temporary asylum, which in addition to a language barrier makes their integration difficult. They are supported by a Belarus diaspora who supply them with clothing as well as the most important everyday items, or sometimes even provide temporary accommodation. Although this external support is very much appreciated, the refugees aim to get back to a free, democratic Belarus as soon as possible.

The series consists of 37 portraits—with thanks to all individuals involved! This work was carried out with support from the Goethe-Institut Lithuania. A detailed portfolio is available on request.