Belarus bans American book on Gulag

January 24, Pozirk. The information ministry has added 30 titles to the list of print publications that contradict Belarus’ national interests, bringing the total to 65.
The list was introduced in November 2024 and originally included 35 titles.
The ministry says that it contains publications that distort historical truth, promote alternative sexual orientation, and incite hatred. It also targets books on “subcultures that are not traditional for Belarusian society” or popularize violence, cruelty and pornography.
In addition to journalist Milana Logunova’s book of Gonzo reports on kinks and fetishes, the information ministry banned “Gulag: A History.” It was written by American journalist and historian Anne Applebaum, whose ancestors emigrated from Belarus. She is married to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
Her book on Stalin’s camps was first published in 2003 and won a Pulitzer Prize in 2004. It appears that the Belarusian commission on symbols, attributes and information products found it to “distort historical truth.”
Belarusian censors also banned Hanya Yanagihara’s books “A Little Life” and “To Paradise.”

History textbooks on information ministry’s "harmful" register
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian diplomats to attend Helsinki+50 conferenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk declares jewelry brand extremistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsGeorgia: Migration officers notify Belarusian embassy of detaining émigréThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSome 70 political prisoners convicted of malicious disobedience – ViasnaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsŁukašenka reiterates willingness to export engines and medicines to CubaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyMałanka Media journalist beaten in VilniusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLithuanian MP appeals to prosecutor’s office regarding Cichanoŭski’s remarksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- Germany news, Politics
- PoliticsRights defenders declare eight people to be political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyDeadline misstep leads to deportation for Belarusian family in SwedenThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus shows low coverage of external debt by international reservesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPoland seizes Belarusian cigarettes hidden in trucksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyMoscow reasserts naming rules for Belarusian Orthodox ChurchThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsPoland sanctions Belarusian Cement CompanyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyInterior ministry brands brother of jailed journalist Łosik, 13 others as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyInvestigators uncover drug trafficking route via BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyExplosion wrecks at major gas pipeline near MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society