The Unconquered Generation. Voices of Belarusian Youth in 2020

The collection consists of 25 essays by students who participated in the peaceful protests of 2020. The book testifies to their incredible experiences of protest, detention, torture, and forced emigration. It is a timely response to the urgent need for accessible and inspiring narratives about the tragic days of protests and the democratic future of Belarus.

The mass protests that erupted after Belarus’s rigged presidential election in August 2020 created new forms of solidarity, activism, and personal responsibility—values that dictatorships seek to suppress. Many students were at the forefront of those events. They faced swift and brutal repression by the state’s police apparatus and widespread persecution.

This collection of 25 essays by students, who testify to their incredible experiences of protests, detentions, torture, and forced emigration, is a timely response to the urgent need for accessible narratives about the inspiring and tragic days of protests, trauma, and reflections on Belarus’ democratic future.

The authors testify to the peaceful nature of the Belarusian people's struggle for democracy. The book is a powerful reminder of the reality that the repressive regime seeks to erase or distort. It gives voice to the youth who participated in the events of 2020, explains their motives and experiences, and the vision of Belarusians for the future of their country.

These stories will become an important and engaging resource for researchers, artists, activists, and politicians. They will inspire and strengthen hope both in Belarus and beyond for the country's democratic future.