Dissident writer Sviatłana Kurs dies of cancer at 54

July 20, Pozirk. Belarus’ renowned author Sviatłana Kurs, who wrote under the pen name of Jeva Viežnaviec, died in Warsaw at the age of 54 after a battle with cancer.
Born in a village in the Minsk region in 1972, Kurs graduated from the philology department of Belarusian State University in 1994. She was a contributor to Nasha Niva, Euroradio, Belsat, which have been branded “extremist” as part of the Łukašenka regime’s crackdown on opponents since 2020.
Kurs moved to Poland in 2006. In 2021, she won the prestigious Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award for her novel Pa Što Idzeš, Voŭča (What Now, Mr Wolf?).
In May 2025, Kurs was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. BySol appealed for public donations for her treatment, asking for 10,000 euros and eventually raising almost 20,000 euros.
In March 2026, Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja presented Kurs with the United Transitional Cabinet’s medal for her contribution to Belarusian culture.
In a message of condolences, Cichanoŭskaja described the writer’s death as a “great loss for all Belarus.” “She was an inspiration for everyone who loved Belarus and did something for the Belarusian cause,” Cichanoŭskaja wrote. “We will greatly miss you, Sviatłana, your words, your books, your advice and wise thoughts.”
Opposition cabinet to award medals to outstanding Belarusians, Ukrainians
- PoliticsBelarus’ top diplomat, Serbia's envoy reaffirm commitment to dialogueThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPoland arrests Belarusian in $813,000 cigarette smuggling caseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyLabor productivity rises 1.1 percent, real pay 7.5 percent in H1The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SecurityBelarus launches 17-day air defense drillThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsŁukašenka announces upcoming meeting with PutinThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja plays up value of independence in anniversary messageThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsZelensky to Cichanoŭskaja: Europe cannot afford to lose any nation seeking real independenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNew “extremist” designations, politically motivated arrest reported in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBiełstat: pre-tax monthly pay up 2.2 percent in JulyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka orders coins to commemorate All-Belarusian People’s AssemblyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank cuts estimated values of standard riskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus to raise labor pensions on September 1The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityUkraine, Russia release 10 return prisoners each in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- SecurityBelarus testing artillery, command-chain readiness using lessons from Ukraine, IranThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka notes plunge in trade with Russia's Arkhangelsk provinceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyLithuania intercepts two drones carrying Belarusian cigarettesThe material is available only to POZIRK+



