Vincent Zhuk-Grishkevich Belarusian public and political figure. Date of Birth: 10.02.1903 Country: Belarus

1. Early Life and Education
2. Involvement in Belarusian Affairs
3. Arrest and Imprisonment
4. Release and Military Service
5. Belarusian Emigration

Early Life and Education

Vincent Zhuk-Hryshkevich, a prominent Belarusian public and political figure, was born into a devout Roman Catholic family in the town of Budslau, Vileika District. He received his early education at the Budslau Belarusian Gymnasium before transferring to the Vilnius Belarusian Gymnasium upon its closure. Zhuk-Hryshkevich graduated from the latter in 1922.

In the fall of the same year, he enrolled in the Faculty of Slavic Philology and History at Charles University in Prague. He graduated in 1926, earning a teaching qualification in secondary education.

Involvement in Belarusian Affairs

As early as 1922, during the first elections to the Polish Sejm, Zhuk-Hryshkevich served as an electoral instructor for the Belarusian Electoral Committee in Vilnius. He actively campaigned for Belarusian candidates within the so-called "Polish Minorities" bloc.

From 1927 to 1939, he taught history, Belarusian language, and literature at the Vilnius Belarusian Gymnasium. Additionally, he instructed Belarusian language at the Orthodox Theological Seminary and the Higher School of Political Science in Vilnius.

Zhuk-Hryshkevich actively participated in Belarusian student organizations in Prague and Vilnius. He played a crucial role in the Belarusian "Scientific Society," "Belarusian Teachers' Union," and "Society of the Belarusian School." He also collaborated with the journals and newspapers "Belarusian Business," "Our Business," "People's Bell," "Family and School," and "Young Belarus."

Arrest and Imprisonment

On September 30, 1939, following the occupation of Vilnius by the Red Army, Zhuk-Hryshkevich was arrested by NKVD officers. He spent two years in various prisons in the Belarusian SSR. In 1940, he was sentenced to eight years in forced labor camps, accused of being a "socially dangerous element" and an enemy of the people and Soviet power.

During his time in the camps, he helped construct the northernmost railway line in the USSR, stretching from the White Sea to the Northern Urals.

Release and Military Service

In the fall of 1941, following an agreement between Molotov and Sikorski, Zhuk-Hryshkevich was granted amnesty. He traveled westward to join General Anders' army, which was being formed from Polish citizens in the USSR.

He fought in the 8th British Army in Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, and later Italy, where he participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino. After the end of hostilities, he taught history and psychology at a Polish military secondary school, providing special training to Belarusian students in preparation for the establishment of a Belarusian organization in England, where the army was scheduled to relocate.

Belarusian Emigration

In 1946, the "Association of Belarusians in Great Britain" was founded in London, becoming the first Belarusian émigré organization after the war. Zhuk-Hryshkevich served as its first chairman. During this period, he also edited the journals "On the Path" and "Belarus Abroad."

In January 1950, Zhuk-Hryshkevich relocated to Toronto, where he continued his active involvement in Belarusian émigré life. From 1951 to 1954, he lectured on Belarusian studies at the University of Toronto.

He played a pivotal role in organizing the 1st Meeting of Belarusians of North America in 1952. He also made numerous presentations on Belarusian topics and contributed to émigré newspapers such as "Belarusian Emigrant" and "Fatherland."