Arkadz Smolič's Map of Belarus – MALDZIS

Arkadz Smolič's 1919 Map of Belarus
The "Maldzis" Copy

Numbered from 1 to 200. Gift tube, wooden hanger.

Presented here is a copy of Arkadz Smolič's unique map of Belarus, acquired by the MALDZIS initiative in October 2025 in Poland with funds from Belarusian donors: Darya Sliž and Illia M.

This is the first Belarusian-language map of our country. It depicts Belarus within its ethnic borders, which corresponded to the territories predominantly inhabited by Belarusians at that time. Additionally, the map contains the original Belarusian spelling of geographical names: Vilnia, Miensk, Horadnia for cities, and Niameččyna and Maskoŭščyna for countries.

The map was printed in 1919 in the lithographic workshop "N.Mac i synˮ in Vilnia at a scale of 1:1,680,000.

The author of the map is considered to be Arkadz Smolič, a scholar, political and public figure, one of the founders of the BNR (Belarusian Democratic Republic) and the first professor of geography in the BSSR: the map has a physical-administrative character that in many details corresponds to the textbook "Geography of Belarus," which Smolič published in the spring of 1919, also in Vilnia.

Only a few copies of Arkadz Smolič's original map of Belarus have survived.

About MALDZIS

The initiative was named in honor of Adam Maldzis, who sought out and brought back from oblivion lost Belarusian treasures and names. MALDZIS continues this work and sees its mission in strengthening the image of Belarus as a European country and uniting Belarusians around their national identity.