Leonid Borshevsky Belarusian philologist, translator, public figure and politician Date of Birth: 04.03.1958 Country: Belarus

1. Early Life and Education
2. Academic Career
3. Literary Pursuits
4. "Biblioteka Bialoruska"
5. Political Engagement
6. Leadership of the Belarusian Popular Front

Early Life and Education

Lyaŭon Barshtseŭski was born on March 4, 1958, in the city of Polatsk, Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus. In 1975, he enrolled at the Minsk Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages to study German and English.

Academic Career

After graduating, Barshtseŭski worked as a German and English language teacher at his alma mater, School No. 10 in Polatsk. He later taught at the Novapolatsk Polytechnic Institute. In 1987, he completed his postgraduate studies at the Minsk Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages and earned a Ph.D. in linguistics.

Literary Pursuits

In 1985, Barshtseŭski co-founded the "Babylon" Young Translators' Club in Minsk with Siarhei Shupeika. He has translated works by renowned authors such as Aeschylus, Petrarch, Kafka, Brecht, Böll, and many others. Barshtseŭski is proficient in seven languages and has translated poetry from over 30 and prose from over 10.

"Biblioteka Bialoruska"

Barshtseŭski is the editor of the "Biblioteka Bialoruska" series, which publishes Belarusian literature in translation. Notable works released through this series include Vasil Bykaŭ and Ryhor Baradulin's "When Souls Clasp Hands," Andrei Khadanovich's bilingual "New Year's Day," and Uladzimir Arlou's "Her Majesty's Lover."

Political Engagement

Barshtseŭski was a deputy in the Supreme Council of Belarus (12th convocation) from 1990 to 1995, representing the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) opposition. He served on the committees for education, culture, and historic heritage preservation, as well as international affairs and foreign economic activity.

In 1995, Barshtseŭski became Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front "Revival." Following Zianon Pazniak's exile, he served as Acting Chairman of the party from 1996 to 1999. After the party's split in 1999, he became an advisor to BPF Chairman Vintsuk Viachorka.

Leadership of the Belarusian Popular Front

At the BPF's 10th Congress in December 2007, Barshtseŭski was elected Chairman of the party.