April 27, 2020

Lukashenko Gets His "Village Therapy"


Lukashenko Gets His "Village Therapy"
You'd look this happy, too, if you got a hug from Aleksandr Lukashenko. CTV.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has been making headlines lately by failing to close his country in the midst of a global pandemic. He's quoted as saying, "It's better to die standing than live on your knees." And he has prescribed a specific brand of medicine to fight the coronavirus: hard work outdoors in a village.

At least now he can say he's walking the walk.

While about 10,000 Belarusians reportedly suffer from coronavirus infection, Lukashenko helped plant trees in a national park, along with other members of the administration, last week. This was part of a nationwide subbotnik event, in which Belarusians of all stripes banded together in strikingly mask-free equipment to clean up their common spaces.

Lukashenko was sure to bring along his dog, which he carried in a basket.

Belarus is Russia's neighbor to the west, and shares a long history with Kievan Rus, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union. It retains special diplomatic status with modern Russia and is often considered a unique Soviet holdover.

In addition, Putin and Lukashenko are reportedly close, although Putin has better (or simply different?) taste in dogs.

You Might Also Like

Belarusan Election
  • May 01, 2006

Belarusan Election

On March 19, according to official data, current Belarusan President Alexander Lukashenko was reelected with 82% of the popular vote. But many voters disagreed with these results.
The City of Chagall
  • May 01, 2010

The City of Chagall

Just over Russia’s border in Belarus is the remarkable city of Vitebsk, birthplace for a surprisingly influential artistic community that flourished just before and after the Revolution.
Putin's Russia
  • September 01, 2002

Putin's Russia

On the occasion of President Vladimir Putin's 50th birthday, we look back at how far Russia has come since January 1, 2000, and where it appears to be going.
The Napoleon Code
  • November 01, 2010

The Napoleon Code

There have been rumors of, and searches for, Napoleon’s Treasure since the mid- nineteenth century. Anna Dymkovets tagged along with some modern-day treasure seekers to find out what they are looking for.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955