Russian language “is not the property of Russia”

Belarusian writer and journalist Sasha Filipenko has a passion for writing in Russian. Exiled to Basel since last summer, he has spent the war, demonstrations, The Cancel cultureAs well as on his art.

This content was published on April 29, 2023

April 29, 2023

Nadesta Capone

SWI swissinfo.ch: You have already stressed several times that Europe has “abandoned” Belarus. How did the war in Ukraine change the situation?

Sasha Filipenko: I recently spoke on this subject in Geneva, and a Swiss journalist addressed me with these words. “What right do you have to talk about Belarus considering the events in Ukraine?” There really isn’t a single country on the European political agenda like mine right now.

We are all worried by this conflict and hope it ends as soon as possible. We are crossing our fingers that Ukraine wins. But that does not change the fact that nine million people living in the heart of Europe are hostages today. [du président Alexandre Loukachenko, ndlr]. As a reminder, in 2020 when we are designated as co-occupiers today, the world appreciated our ability to take to the streets.

In Belarus itself, the current political class does not recognize the opposition candidate in the 2020 presidential elections, Svetlana Tikanovskaya, who currently lives in exile in Lithuania. Despite declaring themselves pro-Ukrainian, many politicians still recognize incumbent President Lukashenko. Especially when this posture serves their own interests.

One can imagine that it is easy to rebel as a Russian or Belarusian while living safely in Europe.

Of course. But at the same time I wonder why Europeans don’t set an example by protesting. For example, by speaking out against maintaining trade relations with Russia. To my knowledge, only five countries, Finland, Sweden and the three Baltic countries, have reduced their trade volume with Moscow or at least maintained the current level. Even Poland, an ardent opponent of the war, increased its trade with Russia. Ditto for Switzerland and the Netherlands. After all, I have the impression that some Europeans make half-measures a rule.

In Russia, society today is fragmented. Everyone lives in their bubble. For various reasons, opponents do not take to the streets. But for many, the war was a real disaster. Could such a detachment exist because the conflict is distant? For example, when Russia was involved in Afghanistan in the 1980s, demonstrations there were also very rare.

In short, for the enemy it was “not their war, but the Kremlin’s war”. People exclude themselves from a society where they don’t feel like they belong. They also boycott elections believing that their votes will not be counted.

Although opinion polls show that most Russians support the conflict in Ukraine, it is wrong to rely on such statistics. In fact, people do not express here what they think, but what is expected from them.

In Russia, spending on propaganda has increased more than spending on the military. Between the lines, it means that Vladimir Putin fears his own people more than Ukraine. This emphasis on propaganda will be needed for years to come. In the “TV vs. Refrigerator” battle between propaganda-fueled patriotic euphoria and harsh economic reality, TV is winning today. But if there is a change, it should tell why the standard of living of Russians is so low.

Is Alexander Lukashenko a reliable ally for Russia? Does he really support Vladimir Putin or does he have no choice?

Putin and he hate each other. Versatile and sometimes flirting with Ukraine, I believe Lukashenko will try to the end not to engage the Belarusian military, as it is weak and likely to be crushed. On the other hand, he will protect his rule here and stick to it, otherwise he will face disaster. One might even wonder if he would open the border to let the Russians in.

Now let’s talk about your work as an artist and the fact that you are called the “Stanley Kubrick of literature”. What does this pose mean?

They told me that I don’t like to be spanked. Kubrick also experimented with different genres of cinema. When it comes to writing, I like to challenge myself. For example a historical novel written like an ancient Greek tragedy.

Do you write only in Russian?

Yes, because to my knowledge this language is not the property of Russia. And I consider it my duty to repeat that Russian is my language. But speaking out doesn’t necessarily mean sharing the same imperial ambitions as the current Russian president. On social networks, Internet users decided that I was wrong. Although I completed my secondary education in Belarus, I neither dream nor joke in this language.

Switzerland and its multilingualism is a good example in my opinion. We speak French there, not French. You will not become Italian in Switzerland by speaking this language. Ditto for Russian, the language still spoken in Ukraine. But here too no one has done as much as Putin to reject this.

Do you think that Europe will be tempted to destroy Russian culture?

I have already experienced this myself. In 2014, after receiving the Russian Prize for my book “Ex-Son” (prodigal son) Writing as anti-authoritarian, a European site removed mention of this price in my biography.

But I don’t think destroying Russian culture will help anything. On the other hand, we should stop cooperating with those in the art world who support this war, but not go so far as to ignore them. They should be allowed to happen, but be warned first that such a conductor or singer supports Russian aggression.

Personally, based on the principle of presumption of innocence, I am against any attempt to destroy Russian culture. The war will end sooner or later and gross mistakes made during it may carry more weight.

Many in Belarus share this sentiment. If the whole of Europe loves our ability to demonstrate in 2020, it does not prevent European banks from refusing to allow Belarusians to open accounts on their own two years later. They started calling us aggressors. They tried to destroy us. You can always say that you had nothing to do with it and that you proved that when Europe traded with Russia in 2020, no one cares, the damage is done.

How do you think the West and Switzerland should behave?

The West is diverse. But I’m seeing a trend across Europe that makes me think of a story I was prime witness of in Stuttgart in 2021. I had knee surgery and was walking on crutches. One day, I was struggling to get some luggage out of my car. Then one of my neighbors suddenly came down the stairs and came towards me.

At first I thought he would help me. But when he got close, he told me this: “Don’t scratch my car”. Then he walked away. His old vehicle was very ugly. Let’s say that some people in Europe behave that way because they are afraid of scratching.

(Translated from German by Alain Meyer)

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