Timothy Snyder - Belarus: Ancient and Modern

Belarus: Ancient and Modern. A Reconsideration of a Central European History

A feature of modern authoritarianism is to suppress the particularity of the nation, which is reduced to a generic, nostalgic construct meant to encourage repetitive obedience. The current Belarusian regime, supported by its imperial Russian neighbor, is an extreme example of this.

But the history of the Belarusian nation is full of color, unpredictability, and potential. In considering the deeper Belarusian past, we will also be imagining possible futures.

Timothy Snyder holds the Chair of Modern European History at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto and is Lesya Ukrainka Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna.

The renowned historian and public intellectual is the author and editor of over twenty books and the recipient of numerous prizes and honorary doctorates. His award-winning publications include Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin (2010); Thinking the Twentieth Century (with Tony Judt, 2012); Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning (2015); On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (2017); The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America (2018); and his recently published book On Freedom (2024).

The event will be moderated by Stephanie Fenkart, Director of the IIP.

The lecture will be followed by a Q&A. Timothy Snyder’s books will be available for purchase at the venue. A book signing will follow the event.

A cooperation between the IIP – International Institute for Peace, IWM Vienna, and Wien Museum.

Note: Registration required. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Cost: Free
Meeting point: In the event hall, 3rd floor