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Vladimir NeklyaevBelarusian poet, writer, leader of the movement "Tell the Truth"
Date of Birth: 11.07.1946
Country:  Belarus |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Education and Musical Training
- 1962-1966: Minsk Electrotechnical College of Communications
- 1968 (Possible): Philology Studies at Minsk Pedagogical Institute
- 1971: Moscow Literary Institute
- 1972: Return to Minsk
- Literary Beginnings
- Literary Association
- Journalistic Career
- 1978-1980: Television and Literary Consultant
- Songwriting
- Editorial Work
- 1996-1998: Editor-in-Chief of "Literatura i Mastatstva"
- Novels and Political Activism
- Political Asylum and Return
- Literary Accomplishments
- 2005-2009: Head of Belarusian PEN Center
- 2006: Support for Alexander Kozulyn
- 2009: Publication of "Tsentr Evropy" and "Armagredon"
- Presidential Candidacy and Social Activism
- 2010: Arrest and Detention
- 2010: Presidential Election and Post-Election Crackdown
- International Support and Recognition
- Trial and Sentencing
- 2011: Sentencing
- Awards and Honors
- 2009: Winner of the First International Festival of Slavic Poetry
- 2011: Nobel Prize Nomination
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
1946: Birth and ChildhoodVladimir Alexandrovich Neklyayev was born on July 11, 1946, in Smorgon, Grodno Region, Belarus. His father, Prokofy Mikhailovich Neklyayev, was Russian, and his mother, Anastasia Ivanovna Magyer, was Belarusian.
Education and Musical Training
1953-1962: High School in SmorgonNeklyayev attended secondary school No. 1 in Smorgon from 1953 to 1962. He also studied musical instruments, including the cymbals and double bass, in a folk music ensemble.
1962-1966: Minsk Electrotechnical College of Communications
Neklyayev enrolled in the Minsk Electrotechnical College of Communications in 1962, where he pursued a degree in communications engineering. During this period, he was actively involved in wrestling and boxing, but was forced to discontinue training due to a serious injury.
1968 (Possible): Philology Studies at Minsk Pedagogical Institute
According to some sources, Neklyayev began attending the correspondence department of the Faculty of Philology at Minsk Pedagogical Institute in 1968.
1971: Moscow Literary Institute
In 1971, Neklyayev enrolled in the prestigious Moscow Literary Institute, where he spent some time living in Moscow.
1972: Return to Minsk
Neklyayev decided to return to Minsk in 1972 and resumed his studies at the correspondence department of Minsk Pedagogical Institute, graduating in 1973.
Literary Beginnings
Early PoetryNeklyayev began writing poetry at a young age, initially in Russian. He intended to publish his work in Moscow through the publishing house "Molodaya Gvardiya," but ultimately changed his mind and submitted a manuscript in Belarusian to a Belarusian publishing house.
Literary Association
From 1972 to 1975, Neklyayev led the literary association of the newspaper "Znamya Yunosti," where he co-founded the satire and humor section "Pyatnitsa."
Journalistic Career
1975-1978: Editor of "Teatralny Minsk"Neklyayev served as editor of the "Teatralny Minsk" bulletin published by the Belarusian Theater Society from 1975 to 1978.
1978-1980: Television and Literary Consultant
He became a television host and senior editor of literary and dramatic programs on Belarusian television in 1978. He also returned to "Znamya Yunosti" as a literary consultant in 1980.
Songwriting
Collaboration with Belarusian BandsNeklyayev gained recognition as a songwriter, with his lyrics being set to music by bands such as "Pesnyary," "Verasy," and others. In total, around 500 songs have been written based on his poetry, including "Gulyai, kazak," "Esli nas ne lyubyat," and "Milaya tebya."
Editorial Work
1987-1999: Editor-in-Chief of "Krynica"Neklyayev served as editor-in-chief of the literary magazine "Krynica" from 1987 to 1999.
1996-1998: Editor-in-Chief of "Literatura i Mastatstva"
Concurrently, he held the position of editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Literatura i Mastatstva" from 1996 to 1998.
Novels and Political Activism
1989: Publication of "Vezha"Neklyayev published his first novel, "Vezha" (The Tower), in 1989.
1998-2001: Chairman of the Union of Belarusian Writers
In 1998, he was elected Chairman of the Union of Belarusian Writers.
Criticism of Government
During his tenure, Neklyayev began to express criticism of the cultural policies of President Alexander Lukashenko, claiming they were undermining national culture.
Political Asylum and Return
1999: Exile in Poland and FinlandIn 1999, Neklyayev left Belarus for Poland and later Finland, claiming political persecution and seeking political asylum.
Literary Accomplishments
2001: Removal from Union of Belarusian WritersAfter his departure, Neklyayev was not re-elected as Chairman of the Union of Belarusian Writers in 2001.
2005-2009: Head of Belarusian PEN Center
Neklyayev headed the Belarusian PEN Center, a branch of the international organization defending writers and journalists, from 2005 to 2009.
2006: Support for Alexander Kozulyn
In 2006, he entered the political arena, supporting the presidential candidacy of Alexander Kozulyn.
2009: Publication of "Tsentr Evropy" and "Armagredon"
Neklyayev released his prose collection "Tsentr Evropy" (Center of Europe) in 2009, and published the drama "Armagredon" and a collection of selected poems, "Kon" (Cone), in 2010.
Presidential Candidacy and Social Activism
2010: Director of "Movement Forward" and "Tell the Truth" CampaignIn 2010, Neklyayev became the Director of "Movement Forward," a scientific and educational institution, and led the "Tell the Truth" civil campaign. The campaign aimed to expose government lies and promote transparency.
2010: Arrest and Detention
In May 2010, Belarusian police raided the "Movement Forward" office and the homes of activists involved in the "Tell the Truth" campaign. Neklyayev and two colleagues were arrested and charged with disseminating false information about goods and services.
2010: Presidential Election and Post-Election Crackdown
Neklyayev decided to run for President of Belarus in 2010. Together with another opposition candidate, Andrei Sannikov, he demanded the election be declared illegitimate after the preliminary vote, alleging that candidates had been denied access to the media.
In the election held in December 2010, Neklyayev received less than 2% of the vote, with Lukashenko securing 79.7%. Unofficial exit polls, however, suggested that Neklyayev had received around 19% of the vote, second only to Lukashenko.
During a protest rally after the preliminary results were announced, Neklyayev was beaten and suffered a head injury, leading to his arrest and detention by the KGB. He was charged with organizing mass riots.
International Support and Recognition
2011: Prisoner of Conscience DesignationThe international organization Amnesty International recognized Neklyayev as a prisoner of conscience in January 2011.
Trial and Sentencing
2011: Trial and House ArrestIn January 2011, Neklyayev was released to house arrest due to his health condition.
2011: Sentencing
In May 2011, the prosecutor demanded a three-year prison sentence for Neklyayev, suspended for two years. In his final statement, Neklyayev reiterated his concerns over the destruction of national culture and the suppression of the Belarusian language.
On May 20, 2011, Neklyayev was sentenced to two years of restricted freedom, suspended for two years, while his team members received two-year suspended sentences.
Awards and Honors
1998: State Prize of BelarusNeklyayev was awarded the State Prize of Belarus in 1998 for his book of poems and poems "Proshcha."
2009: Winner of the First International Festival of Slavic Poetry
He became the first laureate of the International Festival of Slavic Poetry "Singing Letters" in 2009.
2011: Nobel Prize Nomination
In March 2011, the Belarusian branch of PEN Club and the Union of Belarusian Writers nominated Neklyayev for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Personal Life
Family and HobbiesNeklyayev is a passionate bridge player. He has been married twice, the second time to Olga Boldyreva. He has two daughters, Ilona and Eva, from his first marriage to Lyudmila Gembitskaya.
