Sociologists have discovered identity problems among Belarusians

The data of the study “Belarusian national Identity in 2024” has been published. Independent sociologists have identified several groups among their fellow citizens who have rather different ideas about who they are and what is valuable and significant to them. The most sharply dividing factor among people is “Sovietism.” One third of the respondents believe that it should be the basis of a common identity. The nationally oriented ones, on the contrary, believe that such views should be excluded from the public sphere altogether. Meanwhile, the opposition is concerned about the low interest of Belarusians in their native language.

The study “Belarusian National Identity in 2024” demonstrates that not only has a unified national identity not been formed, but the prospects for this process remain very vague. Independent sociologists Philip Bikanov and Konstantin Nesterovich, who have been studying this topic for several years, presented the data of a new survey, which they conducted in the form of an online questionnaire. In their field of vision was the urban population of Belarus between the ages of 18 and 64.

According to the results of the study, the authors divided the society into several segments. The classification, of course, demonstrates that sociologists themselves hold oppositional views. However, the results they obtained did not please the opponents of the current government and its ideological course.

The researchers called the first group “conscious.” It is stated that “their identity is connected with the national romantic project of the Belarusian nation. They also share pro-European views.” Only 11% of such cases have been identified. This group is dominated by men, residents of Minsk, holders of higher education and employees of the IT sector.

The next segment – “emerging” (25%) – is primarily young people (mostly under the age of 34). They have little interest in both the Russian-Soviet and Belarusian aspects of national identity. They are characterized by cosmopolitanism and orientation towards Belarus’ accession to the EU.

The “indifferent” (32%) are generally indifferent to the national theme. They are focused on the Soviet past. In the conflict on the territory of Ukraine, many of them support Russia, unlike the first two groups.

“Soviets” (24%) are the oldest age segment (mostly 45+). They are fully oriented towards the Soviet past, unequivocally support the current government, and are oriented towards Russia.

The last segment is “Russified” (7%) – speakers of Russian identity. In terms of their perception of national identity, they are similar to the “indifferent”, but they recognize themselves as Russians.

Sociologists note that, despite the noticeable polarization, even the pro-Soviet segments, despite the fact that they are characterized by a negative attitude towards nationally oriented Belarusians, do not require the introduction of certain prohibitions on such views. As well as a cosmopolitan orientation.

At the same time, it is characteristic that the “conscious” would like to completely exclude all elements of Sovietism from the public space and do not want the bearers of such views to be present in the Belarusian society at all. But the “Soviet” and “Russified” themselves, on the contrary, are convinced that at least respect for the Soviet past should be universally binding.

Almost all groups are characterized by pride in the quality of the products of the confectionery factory “Kommunarka” and BelAZ. Also, everyone recognizes the importance of such cultural figures as Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas and even VIA Pesnyary. And of course, everyone considers such a culinary product as draniki to be a national treasure.

It is characteristic that the Belarusian language is not at all a key component in determining identity. Despite the fact that 63% of respondents consider him native, only one in five considers him as a factor that unites them with other compatriots in a single community. Such criteria as place of birth, mentality and origin are leading in this sense. Only the “conscious” (that is, one in ten) emphasize the importance of language for them.

Pavel Barkovsky, a representative of the United Transitional Cabinet for National Revival, commented on this data on one of the opposition Internet resources. He believes that the lack of interest in the Belarusian language is the result of a deliberate policy of the authorities. “These figures are not particularly surprising for the population of a country where one of the most brutal Russification has been taking place over the past few centuries. Where the number of schools in the Belarusian language of instruction is decreasing by almost 1% annually and now reaches less than 10%, which is 2.5 times worse than under the Communists. The banishment of the Belarusian language from all public platforms, and now even from public transport and from signs, leads to the fact that the Belarusian language is becoming something exotic for the residents of Belarus itself,” the oppositionist believes.

Meanwhile, he admits that when setting goals for the integration of Belarusian culture into European culture, it is important that at least the neighbors show interest in it. However, it is decreasing. “The only specialized department of Belarusian studies that systematically trains specialists in the Belarusian language and culture is the Department of Belarusian Studies at the University of Warsaw,” the representative of the Defense Industry said.