- Yanka Kupala
Yanka Kupala (Janka Kupała, ; - June 28, 1942) - penname of Ivan Lutsevich was a famous Belarusian poet and writer. Arguably the most famous Belarusian nationalist, Kupala promoted the dying Belarusian language and attempted to further shield it against russification. Currently there is a museum founded by his wife in Minsk which has many examples of his life’s work.
- Stanislav Shushkevich
Stanislav Stanislavovich Shushkevich (Stanisłaŭ Stanisłavavič Šuškievič, Belarusian: Станісла́ў Станісла́вавіч Шушке́віч) (b. December 15, 1934) is a Belarusian politician and scientist. From 1991 to 1994 he was first leader and head of state of independent Belarus after dissolution of the USSR (Chairman of the Supreme Soviet - also chairman of Parliament).
- Adam Mickiewicz
Adam Bernard Mickiewicz (pronounced: [miʦ'kʲeviʧ ]; Belarusian: "Адам Міцкевіч"; Lithuanian: "Adomas Bernardas Mickevičius"; December 24 1798 – November 26 1855) is one of the best-known Polish poets and writers, considered the greatest Polish Romantic poet of the 19th century, alongside Zygmunt Krasiński, Juliusz Słowacki (the Three Bards) and Cyprian Kamil Norwid.
- Sergey Sidorsky
Sergey Sidorsky (Belarusian: Сяргей Сідорскі (Syarhey Sidorski/Siarhiej Sidorski)) (born March 13 1954 in Gomel, BSSR) is the Prime Minister of Belarus. He was appointed Acting Prime Minister on July 10 2003 to replace the dismissed Hienadz Navicki (Gennady Novitsky), and was confirmed as permanent Prime Minister on December 19, 2003.
- Marc Chagall
Marc Chagall (Russian: Марк Захарович Шага́л; Belarusian: Мойша Захаравіч Шагалаў "Mojša Zacharavič Šahałaŭ") (7 July 1887 - 28 March 1985) was a French painter of Russian-Jewish origin who was born in Belarus, then part of the Russian Empire. Among the celebrated painters of the 20th century, he is associated with the modern movements after impressionism.
- Piotra Sych
Piotra Sych, a Belarusian writer and journalist, born in Baturyna, Western Belarus, near Vileyka. He started his journalistic career in Wilno in 1930's, initially writing for the Polish language newspapers, and studying philosophy at the Wilno University. In 1939 he was drafted for the Polish army, then arrested by the Soviets, spent some time in a jail in Polatsk, eventually sentenced to 10 years and sent away to Komi.
- Jan Zaprudnik
Jan Zaprudnik (Belarusian: "Янка Запруднік", real name Siarhiej Vilčycki, born 1926, Mir) is an American historian and publicist of Belarusian descent. He is also one of the leaders of the Belarusian community in the United States and an honoured member of the Belarusian PEN-centre.
- Anatoly Lebedko
Anatoly Lebedko (Anatol Labiedźka Belarusian: Анато́ль Уладзі́міравіч Лябе́дзька; Russian: Анато́лий Влади́мирович Лебе́дько; born June 27, 1961) is a Belarusian politician and the head of the United Civil Party of Belarus. Born in the village of Triles, then part of the Stolbcy district in the USSR's Minsk voblast (and now in Belarus), …
- Jan Czeczot
Jan Czeczot. The second edition of that anthology, published in 1844 under the title of "Piosnki wieśniacze znad Niemna z dołączeniem pierwotwornych w mowie słowiańsko-krewickiej" ("Folk Songs of the Neman River with Originals Written in Slavic-Krevich Language"), was significantly expanded and included many translations of his works to what could be seen as a predecessor of modern Belarusian.
- Meletius Smotrytsky
Meletius Smotrytsky (Belarusian: Мялецій Сматрыцкі; Russian: Мелетий Смотрицкий), né Maksym Herasymovytch (c. 1577 – 17(27) December 1633) was a Ruthenian (Ukrainian, Belarusian) linguist from Galicia, author and religious activist. Son of the famous Ukrainian religious and political activist Herasym Smotrytsky. Education in Ostrog (modern "Ostroh") and Vilnius, as well as Leipzig, Wittenberg and Nuremberg, …
- Tadeusz Kościuszko
Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was a Polish, Lithuanian national hero, general and a leader of the 1794 uprising (which bears his name) against the Russian Empire. He fought in the American Revolutionary War as a colonel in the Continental Army on the side of Washington. In recognition of his dedicated and faithful service he was brevetted by the Continental Congress to the rank of Brigadier General in 1783, …
- Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkyevich
Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkyevich. Writer, poet, dramatist, social activist, humanist. Founder of the modern Belarusian literary tradition. From the nobility of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (szlachta). He wrote both in contemporary Belarusian and in Polish. The most notable works: * Opera "Sielanka" (1846) — the first play, written partly in contemporary Belarusian language. * Poem "Hapon" (1855) — the first poem, written completely in contemporary Belarusian language.
- Yefim Karskiy
Yefim (Fyodorovich) Karskiy ((older name form); he was born on 1 January 1861 (20 December 1860), in Lasha (Grodno Uyezd Grodno Gubernia) and died 29 April 1931. He was a notable linguist-Slavist, ethnographer and paleographer, founder of the Belarusian linguistics, literary studies and paleography, a member of numerous scientifical institutions, author of more than 100 works on the linguistics, ethnography, paleography etc.
- Maksim Bahdanovič
Maksim Bahdanovič (Belarusian language: "Максім Багдановіч" December 9, 1891 – May 25, 1917) was a famous Belarusian poet, journalist and literary critic.
- Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky
Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky (Polish: Feliks Dzierżyński, Russian: Феликс Эдмундович Дзержинский, Belarusian: Фелікс Эдмундавіч Дзяржынскі; -July 20, 1926) was a Polish Communist revolutionary, famous as the founder of the Bolshevik secret police, the Cheka, later known by many names during the history of the Soviet Union
- Konstanty Kalinowski
Kastuś Kalinoŭski and two other Polish language clandestine newspapers. In his literary work, Kalinoŭski underlined the need to liberate all peoples of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from Russia's occupation and to conserve and promote the Greek-Catholic faith and Belarusian language. He also promoted the idea of activisation of peasants for the cause of national liberation, the idea that was until then dominated by the gentry.
- Konstanty Ostrogski
Konstanty Ostrogski, also known under his Ruthenian name "Konstantin Ivanovich Ostrozhsky" and modern Belarusian transliteration "Kanstancin Astrožski", was a Lithuanian duke and a Grand Hetman of Lithuania since September 11, 1497, until his death. As a speaker of the Ruthenian language he is considered to be one of the precursors of the Belarusian language and a national hero in Belarus. He started his military career under king John I Olbracht.
- Ales Adamovich
Ales Adamovich (full name: Александр Михайлович Адамович; born 3 September 1927 in Glusha village in the Minsk Province, Belarus, died 26 January 1994) is a Belarusian writer and a critic, Professor and Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Philosophy in philology, Doctorate in 1962 (a degree in Russia corresponding to Habilitation); the people's deputy (1989-92). He wrote in Russian and Belarusian.
- Jaunutis
Jaunutis (literally "young man", Ruthenian: "Jewnut", Polish: "Jawnuta", Belarusian: "Jaunut" (Яўнут), baptized: "Iwan"; ca. 1300 – after 1366) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from his father Gediminas' death in 1341 until he was deposed by his elder brothers Algirdas and Kęstutis in 1345. There are many theories why Gediminas chose Jaunutis, a middle son, as his successor.
- Natasha Zvereva
Natalya "Natasha" Zvereva (Belarusian: "Наталля Зверава", Russian: "Наташа Зверева"; born April 16, 1971) is a tennis player from Belarus. Playing initially for the Soviet Union, Zvereva won many doubles titles during the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. As a junior, Zvereva won the Wimbledon girls singles title in 1986, defeating Leila Meskhi in the final 2-6, 6-2, 9-7.
- Vseslav Of Polotsk
Vseslav of Polotsk ("Vseslav Bryachislavich", Belarusian: Усяслаў Брачыславіч, Усяслаў Чарадзей; Russian: Всеслав Полоцкий; Ukrainian: Всеслав Полоцький; also known as "Vseslav the Sorcerer", c. 1030-1101) was the most famous ruler of Polotsk. Saint Sophia Cathedral of that city (1066) is probably the most enduring monument in Belarus, which remained after his 57-years reign.
- Gediminas Of Lithuania
Gediminas (Ruthenian: "Giedymin", Polish: "Giedymin", Belarusian: Гедымiн ("Hiedymin") and Гедзiмiн ("Hiedzimin"), Russian: Гедимин, "Gedimin"; ca. 1275 – winter 1341) was the Monarch of medieval Grand Duchy of Lithuania with the title "didysis kunigaikštis" (in Belarusian: "вялікі князь") which would be translated as "High Duke" according to the contemporary perception.
- Angelica Agurbash
Angelica Agurbash (or Anzhelika Agurbash, Russian: Анжелика Агурбаш, Belarusian: Анжаліка Агурбаш), born May 17 1970, is a Belarusian pop-singer, who competed for Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005. Angelica Agurbash (born Yalinskaya) was born in Minsk, Belarus. In 1988, she won the first Miss Belarus title when she was a student of the Belarusian Academy of Arts.
- Ryhor Reles
Ryhor Reles - a Jewish-Belarusian writer, he was one of the last writers in Belarus that wrote in Yiddish. He was born in 1913 in a village Chashniki, Vitebsk region, studied pedagogy in Vitebsk pedagogical institute, then studied Yiddish philology in Minsk. His first poem was published in a Soviet Jewish newspaper "Junger Arbeiter" in 1931. He wrote poems and prose in Yiddish and also several poems in Russian. Most of his works were translated and published in Belarusian.
- Vital Kramko
Vital Kramko (born 1941, Belarusian: Віталь Крамко (Крэмко), Russian: Виталий Ильич Кремко) is the chairman of "October" (Октябрь), an agricultural collective located in the Hrodna region. Kramko was awarded the title Hero of Belarus title "for selfless work and valiant efforts in the development of agricultural production." Kramko was awarded the title on 30 June 2001 from a decree issued by Alexander Lukashenko.
- Inna Zhukova
Inna Zhukova Belarusian: Іна Жукава "Ina Zhukava" Russian: Инна Жукова "Inna Zhukova" is a Belarusian individual Rhythmic Gymnast born on September 6, 1986 in Krasnodar, Russia. She started rhythmic gymnastics in 1990 at age 4. Originally, she trained in Russia but, she was invited to train in Belarus with the coach, Irina Leparskaya, who has trained many prominent gymnasts. Inna made her international debut in 2001.
- Eugeniusz Czykwin
Eugeniusz Czykwin (Belarusian: "Яўген Чыквін", born September 12, 1949 in Orla) is a Polish politician. He was elected to Sejm on September 25, 2005 getting 14181 votes in 24 Białystok district, candidating from Sojusz Lewicy Demokratycznej list. He was also a member of PRL Sejm 1985-1989, PRL Sejm 1989-1991, Sejm 1991-1993, and Sejm 2001-2005.
- Anthony Sawoniuk
Anthony Sawoniuk was a convicted Nazi war criminal from Poland. His name is rendered Antoni Sawoniuk in Polish, and Андрэй Саванюк Andrej Savaniuk in Belarusian. Sawoniuk was born in Domaczewo, Poland. This town was part of the region transferred to Soviet jurisdiction after the Second World War, as part of the Belorussian SSR. The town is now known as Damachava, Brest, Belarus.
- Victoria Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka (Belarusian: "Вікторыя Азарэнка, Азаранка", Russian: "Виктория Азаренко"; born July 31, 1989) is a tennis player from Minsk, Belarus, who became junior world champion in 2005. Currently she lives and trains in Marbella, Spain. On July 9, 2007 she reached a career high of No. 42.
- Mikałaj Sudziłoŭski
Mikałaj Sudziłoŭski (Belarusian: "Мікалай Судзілоўскі", also known as Nicholas Russel, December 15 1850 - April 30, 1930 was a Belarusian revolutionary and scientist. Sudilovskij was born in Mahiliou to a noble family. He studied at St.Petersburg and Kiev universities where he began to get involved in political activity. In 1873-1874, Sudziloŭski was one of the organisers of the "Kiev commune", …
- Vladimir Kovalyonok
Vladimir Vasiliyevich Kovalyonok (Belarusian: Уладзі́мір Васі́льевіч Кавалёнак; Russian: Влади́мир Васи́льевич Ковалёнок; born March 3, 1942 in Beloye, Minsk voblast, USSR (now in Belarus)) was a Soviet cosmonaut. He entered the Soviet space programme on July 5, 1967 and was commander of three missions. He retired on June 23, 1984.
- Ryta Turava
Margarita "Ryta" Turava (Belarusian "Рыта Турава, Маргарыта Турава"; Russian "Rita Turova, Рита Турова", born 28 December 1980 in Vitebsk) is an athlete from Belarus, competing in race walking. She came fourth in the 2004 Olympics, and she won a silver medal in the World Championship in Helsinki in 2005. Her sister, Alesya Turava, is also a successful athlete, champion of Belarus in track (1500 metres), …
- Michał Vituška
General Michał Vituška (Belarusian "Міхал Вітушка"; 5 November 1907 Niaśviž - 16 April 2006, Munich) was a Belarusian politician and Nazi collaborationist during World War II. Michał Vituška was born in the city of Niaśviž and studied in Belarusian gymnasiums in Kleck, Vilnia. He graduated from a university in Prague and the Warsaw University of Technology.
- Yanka Maur
Yanka Maur was a famous Belarusian writer. Yanka Maur was actually his pseudonym, while his real name was Ivan Mikhailavich Fiodarau (Belarusian: Іва́н Міха́йлавіч Фёдараў). His son, Fiodar Fiodaraŭ, was a famous Belarusian physicist. He was born in Libava (now Liepaja, Latvia) and grew up in the Belarusian village Lebianishki, which is now in Lithuania.
- Natalia Podolskaya
Natalia Podolskaya (Natalla Padolskaja, Belarusian: "Натальля Падольская", born May 20, 1982) is a Belarusian singer that performed for Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest on May 21, 2005 and was ranked #15.
- Pyotr Klimuk
Pyotr Ilyich Klimuk (Belarusian: Пётр Ільі́ч Кліму́к; Russian: Пётр Ильи́ч Климу́к; born July 10, 1942 in Komarovka, USSR (now in Belarus) was a Soviet cosmonaut who made three flights into space. Kliumuk attended the Leninski Komsomol Chernigov High Aviation School and entered the Soviet Air Force in 1964. The following year, he was selected to join the space programme. His first flight was a long test flight on Soyuz 13 in 1973.
- Katsia Damankova
Katsia or Yekatsiaryna Damankova (Belarusian: "Кацярына Даманькова"; Russian: "Екатерина Дамонькова"; born 1988) is a Belarusian model, recognized as a Supermodel of the World on January 18, 2006 in New York City. Damankova currently studies at a high school (gymnasia No 6) in Minsk.
- Jury Zacharanka
General Jury Zacharanka (Belarusian:"Юры Захаранка", Russian: "Юрий Захаренко", "Yuri Zakharenko"; January 1, 1952 - 1999(?)) was the Belarusian minister of internal affairs and oppositional politician abducted and probably killed in 1999. Jury Zacharanka was born in the town Vasilevičy, Rečyca rajon.
- Fabijan Abrantovich
Fabijan (Fabian) Abrantovich (Abrantovič, Abrantowicz) - a prominent religious and civic leader from Belarus. Abrantovich was significant in the struggle for the recognition of the Belarusian language in the Roman Catholic Church, the indoctrination of Belarusians of the Roman Catholic faith in their national character, and to the revival of concepts dealing with Belarusian statehood. Abrantovich was born in Navahradak.
- Vyacheslav Hleb
Vyacheslav Hleb (Belarusian: Вячаслаў Глеб, Russian: Вячеслав Глеб,b. February 12,1983) is a football player from Belarus who plays as a midfielder for FC MTZ-RIPO and the Belarus national team. He has been widely linked with a move to Scottish Premierleauge team Heart of Midlothian, indeed he recently underwent a trial with the club, due to work permit restrictions a permanent move has been delayed until summer 2007.