Belarusian Martyrology by Xisha Angelava

The Belarusian Martyrology is an ongoing artistic and human testimony inspired by the extraordinary dignity and humanity shown by the people of Belarus during the peaceful protests that followed the falsification of their presidential election in the summer and autumn of 2020.Since that time, many thousands of people have endured imprisonment, torture, fines, forced labour, and exile. Some have suffered for years in inhumane Pr*son conditions. Others are no longer with us. Their absence, and their suffering, remains an open wound. For many political prisoners in Belarus, hope for freedom is closely bound to the outcome of the war in Ukraine. The fate of nations, and of individuals, is deeplyentwined.This exhibition presents a selection of more than 200 portraits from The Belarusian Martyrology, a vast and still-growing ‘gallery’ created by the Belarusian artist Xisha Angelova. To date, she has painted more than 1,500 portraits of Belarusian politicalprisoners, and the number continues to increase. Visitors are invited to enter a space of remembrance, prayer, and reflection, dedicated to the lives of those officiallyrecognised as political prisoners in Belarus between 2020 and 2025. Through quietattention and shared presence, the exhibition seeks to encourage reflection, dialogue, and practical solidarity.The exhibition situates the portraits of Belarusian political prisoners within the context of today's global trends. Implicitly, the exhibition asks: “Do you want to live under a strong leader?” and uses the example of Belarus to show what the personal reality of authoritarian rule looks like. We should learn lessons from those around us, and the people and faces we see in this exhibition are warnings of what can happen when poweris unchecked, and strong leadership becomes dictatorship.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

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