Belarus' Historic Independence Map Returns Home After 102 Years

This map, a symbol of Belarusian independence, is finally coming home. Its return marks a significant step in preserving and promoting Belarusian history and culture.

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2025 October 28 . 3:05 PM

1 min read

In this image there is some text written and in the background there is the drawing of mountains.

Belarus' Historic Independence Map Returns Home After 102 Years

A historic map, created by Belarusian nationalist Arkadz Smolich in 1919, is set to return home. The map, a symbol of Belarusian independence, will be gifted to the Klichaw Regional History Museum on November 7, 2021. Smolich, considered one of the founding fathers of the Belarusian People’s Republic, crafted the first Belarusian-language map of Belarus. The map, printed in Vilnius, depicts the entire territory where Belarusians lived, surpassing many European states in size. During Soviet times, this map was banned as it showed Belarus as an independent state. The map's journey back home was made possible by MALDZIS, a Belarusian initiative. They purchased the map from a private collector in Poland using funds donated by Belarusian benefactors Darya Slizh and Ilya M. Now, MALDZIS, in collaboration with Gutenberg Publishing and Imago.by studio, has prepared a limited-edition gift copy of the map for purchase. The original map, a testament to Belarusian heritage and independence, will be handed over to the Klichaw Regional History Museum as a public gift. This return marks a significant step in preserving and promoting Belarusian history and culture.