Could you describe circumstances of leaving Belarus?

I have not been to Belarus for three and half years and since that time a lot of things have changed. My life opinions have changed and I can say that my life got divided into two periods: before the departure and after it. Sometimes it is difficult to recall the reasons of leaving. As these three years were very intensive from the emotional point of view. They were not bad but it was an intensive period. Sometimes I need more time to recall something. One of the reasons was the political situation in Belarus. My friend and I moved together to Kiev, Ukraine. We had just one month to decide. The friend used to work in “milice”, which is Belarusian police. When he finished, he was told that he had one month to hide somewhere.

 So, did you leave together?

Yes, we did. There was another breaking point for me when he told me: “Buddy, they have not come to get you today, so they will come another day. There is a list of names and your name is written there. They have not come to get you yet as it has not been your turn. It is just a matter of time.”

I do not know why my name appeared on the list. However, I knew it is better to leave than to stay and wait for uncertain future.

How long did you stay in Kiev?

From the beginning of November 2021 up to beginning of March 2022; approximately four months.

Why did you decide to go to the Czech Republic then?

It was on our way, away from Ukraine. I did not have any particular plan. I had not planned to move out of Ukraine not even before the beginning of the invasion. Everything what happened afterwards was just an intuition and coincidence. I am not a very intuitive type but at that time my intuition led me here. And I did not know why.

According to data of the Ministry of the Interior there are about seven thousand Belarussians in the Czech Republic. Are you in touch with anybody from this community?

I am not. I know several Belarussians here and I talk to them but I am hanging out mostly with Czechs or Ukrainians.

Those who decide to return to Belarus face an immediate danger quite often. Have you considered going back? Is there any inclination for people to return?

Yes, there is. Just yesterday I was visited by a friend from Belarus. We discussed options of going back. He does not have any politically harmful past. He moved to Poland but returns home from time to time. Just because of stamps from Ukraine in his passport he has to face frequent problems at Belarussian borders when he returns there. The situation at the borders is really quite tense.

He also told me that he had a Belarussian friend in Poland who gave a like to some opposition post while being abroad. When she returned home, they traced the like back and imprisoned her for several days. Just for one like under some post. It is crazy.

So, there is not a chance for you to return, is there?

No, there isn’t. I have reconciled with it. I do not say that it is sad. It is a fact. For somebody it is worse, for somebody it is better.

Are you still in touch with people from Belarus?

Yes, I am still in contact with friends. I call my parents and my friends come to visit me sometimes when that have an opportunity to get a visa.

How did your arrival to the Czech Republic look like?

Uf! (Laughter) I spent the first night in Prague in the “Ankali” night club. I guess it was another result of intuition. I did not know anything about the Czech Republic; I did not know the way around Prague. So, I appeared in that club at my first night. When I arrived, I was looking for some dormitory or a hostel just for the first night. I came across a website where Czech citizens offered accommodation to newcomers. I found a contact for one guy who was willing to help us. He told us that he would be happy to share his accommodation with us but he was able to do so the other day because that day he had a DJ set in “Ankali”. As I did not have anything to do anyway, I asked him for address of that place and told him I would arrive. We are still good friends.

How difficult was it to receive the international protection?

It was not easy. I knew just about the Congress Centre in Prague. There was a huge stand which offered help to refugees. However, they helped only to Ukrainian citizens or people with permanent residence in Ukraine, which I did not have. I learnt about it only at the stand. During the whole week after that night in “Ankali” I kept visiting various places in Prague, the Ministry of the Interior… And I tried to find out what to do and how I can legalize my stay here.

Eventually, I went to Brno. There is a refugee camp where I spent two weeks. I was interviewed there; I got an asylum seeker card which I had to renew each six months.

How did you learn about Your New Home Project?

I guess the question should have been asked vice versa. It is rather me who asks you how come that I was addressed by this project? Once I got a phone call from a lady who works here. Her name is Tihana Valent. She told me that an event about integration issues would take place. So, I signed up.

Was the course useful for you?

Absolutely, it was. However, I received all that information after three years here. I attended the course three months ago.

It was great for me mainly due to the fact that I was surrounded with people who were truly amazing. They were Czechs who were experts in legal and social affairs. I am really grateful for that.

What was the greatest barrier for you after your arrival to the Czech Republic?

The most elementary barrier was the language. At first, I spoke English and then I started to learn Czech step by step. I had my first Czech lessons in the refugee camp. And I was also watching videos on YouTube but mainly I was learning in the direct communication with people.

How do you enjoy your life here now, after three years here?

It is great. Currently, I work in the kitchen and I also assist to sculptors with creating concrete moulds. Last but not least, I learned to do ceramics here. Recently, I have even started to organize courses of ceramics. I discovered this activity here because I had a lot of time to think up new things… Again, rather the hobby chose me than vice versa. There was a ceramics workshop in the neighbouring house next to the place where I used to live. 

It seems that all these things encountered you and not vice versa.

Yes, there is something about it. When I retrospect, it is exactly this way. I cannot describe it in another way.

Do you follow the situation in Belarus?

Right now, mainly via my friends and acquaintances. During the first year I followed it quite intensively but I found out it had exhausted me a lot.

Would you like to send a word to people from Belarus arriving to the Czech Republic?

When I am visited by my friends, I show them non-tourist Prague. For example, I go with them to the countryside. However, if people consider leaving Belarus for good, I mostly tell them that the grass is always greener on the other side.

If you relocate, it does not mean that your life improves. You have to learn, work and communicate with people wherever you are. You get rid of some problems but you will definitively have to face other complications. However, if you stay nothing changes anyway.