Nasha Niva

History

1906–1915

Nasha Niva was inspired by Iskra, a political newspaper, published by the RSDLP since 1901. At the BSA conference in June 1906 Belarusian journalist Anton Łuckevič announced his intention to create a party newspaper. The co-founders were his brother Ivan and Alaksandar Ułasaŭ, a landowner from the Mihaŭka estate near Minsk, who was for many years the newspaper's publisher and editor.{{cite news |trans-title = 10 facts from Life of Alexander Vlasov |access-date = 2020-08-04 |trans-title = 100 Anniversary of "Nasha Dolya" Newspaper |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-02

In the first three years, the newspaper published 960 reports from 489 areas, 246 poems by 61 authors, and 91 articles by 36 special reporters. Only in 1910 "Nasha Niva" published 666 various correspondence from 427 people. "Nasha Niva" covered a wide range of political, economic, and cultural issues. Every issue included the following sections: government actions, political review, life of the countryside, life of the city, feuilletons, the newest literary works in Belarusian, correspondence, news from Russia and Lithuania, book digest, history notes, notes on agriculture, applied mechanics, personal ad.

The newspaper saw as its main task the consolidation of a Belarusian political nation. It was also – as was observed at the time – the first source of information to be free of government interference. The editors office also strived to preserve and promote Belarusian culture. National civil society rallied around the newspaper; numerous agricultural initiatives, youth groups and publishing houses used it as a voice to promote their activities. In 1911 its circulation was about 3,000. Up to October 1912, the newspaper was printed both in Cyrillic and Latin scripts. From the 43 issue of 24 October 1912, the publication completely switched to the Cyrillic alphabet. A subscription for a year cost 5 roubles, the price for one issue was 5 kopecks.

The newspaper's defence of national interests provoked attacks by the Russian censorship throughout its existence. Even a discussion on agrarian topics organised in 1907 – including an article entitled 'The Land Question in New Zealand' – was found 'seditious' and 'disrespectful of the government'. The editor, Alaksandar Ułasaŭ, was tried and imprisoned. On several occasions, the entire run of a particular issue was confiscated and the editors were compelled to pay fines.

Editors office

Subscribers and correspondents of the newspaper became central figures of national political and intellectual life, e.g. Ciška Hartny (pseudonym of Źmicier Žyłunovič), one of the first leaders of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic, or Branisłaŭ Taraškievič, political leader in the Western Belarus and author of the first printed grammar of the Belarusian language.{{cite web |trans-title = Zmicier Zhylunovich. Tovarisch Pesnyar |access-date = 2020-08-08 |archive-date = 7 September 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200907075214/http://zviazda.by/ru/news/20181114/1542204621-dmitriy-zhilunovich-tovarishch-pesnyar |url-status = dead

One of the major figures behind the formulation of the newspaper's political goals was Ivan Łuckevič from Minsk, founder of the famous Belarusian Museum in Vilnius and sponsor of numerous political and cultural projects. Working alongside him was his brother, Anton Łuckevič, whose ideas were decisive in the formation of the programme of the Belarusian Socialist Party (Hramada). He would eventually become the Prime Minister of the Belarusian People's Republic. Vacłaŭ Łastoŭski, another future Prime Minister of the Belarusian People's Republic, became secretary of the newspaper in 1909 and in the years 1912—1913 acted as its de facto editor. He was in charge of the historical agenda, which was one of the main topics in Nasha Niva. Janka Kupała, a famous poet, became the newspaper's editor in March 1914. The editors office located on , 14.{{cite web |trans-title = Janka Kupala Memorial Plate Unveiled in Vilnius |access-date = 2020-08-04

By early 1909 the editors office included six permanent employees – Łuckevič brothers, Alaksandar Ułasaŭ, Vacłaŭ Łastoŭski, Janka Kupała and Jadvihin Š.{{cite web |trans-title = Profile: 150 Anniversary of Yadvigin Sh. |access-date = 2020-08-08

Anton Łuckevič, Alaksandar Ułasaŭ, Branisłaŭ Taraškievič,{{cite web |trans-title = Bronislav Tarashkevich 125 Anniversary |access-date = 2020-08-08

Belarusian Language

According to some research, in the early 20th century the Belarusian language was mostly used by the peasantry and neglected by intelligence and upper classes. "Nasha Niva" introduced standards of usage into the Belarusian literary language. It was actively involved in both the creation of classical Belarusian literature and the evolution of the idea of Belarusian statehood. One of the newspaper's characteristic features was the strong interactive relationship that it built with readers. There were more than three thousand permanent and temporary correspondents who submitted information to the editor. A large number of contributors from various regions of Belarus were involved in the publication of both journalistic pieces and literary works. This provided a unique opportunity to re-establish the literary language by establishing norms of usage that were the most widespread throughout the country as a whole. The newspaper thereby played an invaluable role in fixing the orthography, grammar and word-formation patterns of the modern Belarusian language. Jakub Kołas, a classic of Belarusian literature, was an active contributor to "Nasha Niva".{{cite web |trans-title = 125 Anniversary of Jakub Kołas (1882-1956) |access-date = 2020-08-04 |archive-date = 16 January 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120116203420/http://content.nlb.by/content/dav/nlb/portal/content/File/Portal/Vystavki/Kolas_r/html/biogr.htm |url-status = dead |trans-title = Maksim Bahdanovič was an Anarchist and almost 'Terrorist': Interesting Facts on Poet at his 125 Anniversary |access-date = 2020-08-04 |archive-date = 8 May 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508175648/https://naviny.belsat.eu/ru/news/maksim-bogdanovich-byla-anarhistom-i-pochti-chto-terroristom/ |url-status = dead

Nasha Niva realised the unpopularity of the Belarusian language among rural populations. As the main step to improve the issue it promoted education in Belarusian and advocated people's right to use their native language in schools and in church.

Issues from 1906 to 1912 used both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets simultaneously (with the subheading: Printed weekly in Russian and in Polish letters (in Latin script: Wychodzić szto tydzień ruskimi i polskimi literami)).

Publishing

The newspaper became the centre of intellectual life, it acted as the focal point for the independent cultural and social projects that grew up around it. Since 1907 the editors office has been engaged in book publishing. "Nasha Niva" performed the coordinating function of a publishing centre. Especially popular were the annual Belarusian Calendars, almanacs in which readers could find not only the usual kind of day-to-day information but also literary works. The publishing centre also published books, both original and in translation. A satirical magazine 'Krapiva' (Nettles) was published in Vilnia in 1912, and the agricultural department of Nasha Niva grew into the independent 'Sacha' (Wooden Plough) magazine published in Minsk from the end of 1913.

Under the newspaper's auspices one of "Nasha Niva" founders, Ivan Łuckevič, began to collect artefacts for the future Belarusian National Museum. Most of it is currently stored in the National History Museum of Lithuania.{{cite web |trans-title = Made Kupala a Classic, Secretly Returned Statutes of Lithuania and Proclaimed Belarus Independence |access-date = 2020-08-08

First World War

In 1914 Nasha Niva could no longer criticize the government that was at war because such opposition could be perceived as unloyalty to the state. The newspaper published articles and reports on patriotic actions of ordinary Belarusians, but its editorial position didn't demonstrate any support to the Russian military. The Russian army was described as alien as the German one.

With the outbreak of war Nasha Niva issues halved in volume. Since the Autumn of 1914, the blank spaces appeared on its pages, left by the state censors. The last issue was published in the Summer of 1915 when the majority of the staff were called to active military service.

Revival attempt in 1920

The first attempt to revive the newspaper was made by Maksim Harecki in Vilnia in 1920. The first issue of the revived Nasha Niva, now described as a socio-political and literature daily newspaper, appeared on 28 October 1920, soon after the beginning of Żeligowski's Mutiny. From the 4th issue, the editor-in-chief was Viačasłaŭ Znamiaroǔski. In December 1920 the newspaper was banned again, this time by the Polish military censorship.{{cite web |trans-title = The Discovered Paintings Turned Out to Be Cultural Heritage, Created by Sergievich and Znamerovsky |access-date = 2020-08-08

1991 revival in Vilnius

The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the rapid growth of the independence movement in Belarus made it possible for the newspaper to be re-established. The publication of Nasha Niva was relaunched by journalist Siarhiej Dubaviec in Vilnius in May 1991.{{cite web |trans-title = Nasha Niva Turns 105 |access-date = 2020-08-08 |trans-title = The Last Paper Issue of Nasha Niva |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-08

The revived newspaper came to occupy a special place among other Belarusian periodicals. "Nasha Niva" abandoned the 'defensive strategy' and self-imposed isolation inherent to much of the Belarusian-language media of the Soviet times. The newspaper opened its pages to discussions on universal topics and published numerous translations of foreign literature. The paper discussed two topics in particular: the heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and a possible model of relations between Belarus and other nations of the region. In 2000 Siarhiej Dubaviec resigned, Andrej Dyńko became the new editor-in-chief.{{cite web |access-date = 2020-08-08

In 1996, the newspaper's editorial office relocated to Minsk, Belarus. The topics covered by "Nasha Niva" shifted from literature and culture towards political and social issues. In 1999 the newspaper became a weekly once more. In 2002 the volume increased from 12 to 16 pages weekly, and in 2005 to 24. At its peak the print run reached 8,000. Following pressure from the state and denial of access to the national press distribution system, "Nasha Niva" changed to a pocket format and increased the number of pages to 48. The circulation decreased to 2,200 copies.{{cite web |trans-title = Last Issue of "Nasha Niva" |access-date = 2020-08-08

In 2006 "Nasha Niva" decided to expand its online version, Andrej Skurko headed the web department, Andrej Dyńko became the new chief of the paper edition. At the same time material has been collected for the compilation of a dictionary of the language used in those early years of "Nasha Niva".{{cite web |trans-title = Vilnius: Exhibition in Honour of First Belarusian Premier |access-date = 2020-08-08

On July 31, 2023, the European Parliament passed a resolution in which it asks the European Commission and the Member States, to strengthen Belarusian media outlets, including Nasha Niva.

State pressure

Since 1995 and especially in the 2000s, "Nasha Niva" has faced pressure from the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko. The paper was persecuted for using the traditional Belarusian orthography (Taraškievica). In 1998 the newspaper won a trial in court and got permission to continue using the classical orthography. "Nasha Niva" used the classical spelling until 2008; it then shifted to the spelling taught in schools in order to 'improve communication between intellectuals and the public', as an editorial on the topic made clear at the time.{{cite web |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" Refuses Taraškievica and Starts Publishing in Colour |access-date = 2020-08-08

In 2005 the authorities banned distribution of the newspaper through the Belarusian postal system and the official distribution agency which delivered the paper to shops and newsstands. The circulation dropped from 3500 to 2000 copies. Only in 2006 the publication received four official warnings for not indicating the legal address. In fact, four different leaseholders broke the contracts with the editors office without any notification or explanation as soon as "Nasha Niva" notified the Information Ministry about their agreements.{{cite web |trans-title = 100 Anniversary of "Nasha Niva" Newspaper |access-date = 2020-08-08

Between 2006 and 2008 the newspaper had to be distributed by volunteers. For this reason, the newspaper switched to A4 format, so it would be easier to put into bags and envelopes.{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508175711/https://belaruspartisan.by/life/106452/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = 8 May 2021 |trans-title = Celebration of "Nasha Niva" 100 Anniversary |access-date = 2020-08-08

"Nasha Niva" has been tried in court and fined on many occasions, with the KGB conducting searches both in the newspaper's office and the journalists personally.{{cite web |trans-title = Independent Journalists Questioned by Belarusian KGB |access-date = 2020-08-04 |trans-title = Belarus Presidential Elections: Independent Monitoring Results |access-date = 2020-08-08 |trans-title = Minsk Authorities Ban Oldest Belarusian Newspaper On the Eve of Anniversary |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-08

In 2008 the Belarusian government took a course on the liberalization of the media, following requirements of European Union.{{cite web |trans-title = How Independent Press in Belarus Fights for Survival |access-date = 2020-08-04 |trans-title = Circulations and Hopes Raise among Belarusian Independent Media |access-date = 2020-07-24 |trans-title = Independent Press in Belarus Still Under Pressure |access-date = 2020-08-04 |trans-title = the Whole Country Can Be Searched... |access-date = 2020-08-08

2010s

By 2010 the web-portal Nasha Niva became the most popular internet resource in the Belarusian language. According to statistics drawn up by Google Analytics, in 2017 monthly visitors of NN.by exceeded 600,000, more than 7,000,000 pages were viewed. Approximately 84% of the visits were from Belarus, 49% are from Minsk.

In 2011, Źmicier Pankaviec was appointed editor of the weekly paper edition. "Nasha Niva" had circulation around 8000, 50% were distributed by subscription.{{cite web |trans-title = Nasha Niva Brand is Older than Ministry of Information Itself |access-date = 2020-08-04 |access-date = 2020-07-10 |trans-title = Belarus:Independent Media under Pressure |access-date = 2020-08-04

In 2012 Andrej Dyńko was banned from travelling abroad, only after six formal complaints to the authorities he was excluded from the blacklist.{{cite web |trans-title = Andrej Dyńko Excluded from Travel Ban List |access-date = 2020-08-08

In 2017 "Nasha Niva" became the third among most popular media in Belarus and launched Nasha Nina web project for female audiences (the title is based on a wordplay – Nina is a female name).{{cite web |trans-title = Media Professionals on Year Ending |access-date = 2020-08-02 |trans-title = New Chief Editor in Nasha Niva |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-08

2020s

The newspaper extensively covered the months of nationwide protests after the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. On July 8, 2021, the newspaper's website was blocked by the authorities. The editor-in-chief Yahor Martsinovich and editor Andrey Skurko were detained, their homes and the office were searched. Martsinovich was beaten during the arrest, he suffered head injury.{{cite web |trans-title=Political prisoner Andrey Skurko transferred to prison hospital due to coronavirus

In November 2021, Nasha Niva's Telegram channel and its social networks were declared extremist materials. In January 2022, the KGB declared Nasha Niva an extremist formation. Creation of an extremist formation or participation in it is a criminal offence in Belarus.

Online newspaper

On 11 May 2016, the editors office announced that Nasha Niva will concentrate on the Internet version, while the paper one will keep publishing on a monthly basis.{{cite web |access-date = 2020-08-08 |trans-title = Oldest Belarusian newspaper 'Nasha Niva' Cease Paper Runs |access-date = 2020-08-02 |trans-title = 'We've Achieved Everything': "Nasha Niva" Goes Web Only |access-date = 2020-08-04

In February 2018 the website was attacked by bots,{{cite web |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-08 |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" Newspaper Announces Transfer to New Domain |access-date = 2020-08-02 |archive-date = 8 May 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508175658/https://baj.by/ru/content/izdanie-nasha-niva-obyavilo-o-pereezde-na-novyy-adres-i-poyasnilo-pochemu-poteryalo-staryy |url-status = dead |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" Gets Back Its Domain |access-date = 2020-08-02 |trans-title = Independent Newspaper Officially Returns to NN.by |access-date = 2020-08-02

Like many other independent media websites, NN.by was shut down on 8 August 2020, when the presidential elections in Belarus took place.{{cite web |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-08 |access-date = 2020-08-08 |trans-title = Minsk Police Detains "Nasha Niva" Editor Martinovich |access-date = 2020-08-08

As of September 9, 2021, Yahor Martsinovich was imprisoned and faced criminal charges under the article 216 part 2 (Asset Damage without Stealing).{{cite web |trans-title=Three Belarusian Chief Editors in Jail. Their letters From Prison |trans-title=Belarus Investigative Committee Puts Nasha Niva Chief Editor in Jail |trans-title=Nasha Niva

Editors in chief

• Alaksandar Ułasaŭ (founder, editor in 1906–1912);
• Vacłaŭ Łastoŭski (1912–1913);
• Janka Kupała (1914–1915);
• Siarhiej Dubaviec (1991–1999);
• Andrej Dyńko (2000–2006);{{cite web |trans-title = 100 Anniversary of "Nasha Niva" Newspaper |access-date = 2020-08-08
• Andrej Skurko (2006–2017);
• Jahor Marcinovič (Martsinovich), recipient of the national award for investigative journalism several years in succession, became chief editor in 2017.{{cite web |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" to Change Chief Editor |access-date = 2020-08-02

Awards

• Chief editor Andrej Dyńko received International Award "Freedom of Speech"{{cite web |trans-title = Chief Editor of Belarusian Newspaper "Nasha Niva" Andrej Dyńko to Win Annual International Award "Freedom of Speech" |access-date = 2020-08-02 |trans-title = Belarusian Journalist Andrej Dyńko to Win Lorenzo Natali Prize |access-date = 2020-08-08 |archive-date = 3 October 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201003031857/https://news.tut.by/society/87322.html |url-status = dead
• Gerd Bucerius Press Prize (2007){{cite web |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" Wins International Recognition |access-date = 2020-08-02
• I Love Belarus (2010)
• Andrej Dyńko got first prize in 'Belarus in Focus' journalist contest (2013);.{{cite web |trans-title= 'Nasha Niva' Chief Editor to Win 'Belarus in Focus Competition' |access-date = 2020-08-24
• Egor Martinovich received 'Press Freedom' award by Reporters Without Borders (2015);{{cite web |access-date = 2020-08-02 |archive-date = 2 October 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201002220458/https://baj.by/ru/content/natalya-radina-i-egor-martinovich-stali-laureatami-premii-svoboda-pressy-organizacii |url-status = dead
• Egor Martinovich and Dmitry Pankaviec received BAJ 'Volnaye Slova' Award (2015);{{cite web |access-date = 2020-08-08
• Natallia Lubneuskaya got the Free Media Award (2021).

Gallery

References

Sources

• {{cite journal |archive-date = 27 November 2020 |access-date = 13 August 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201127230350/https://baj.by/sites/default/files/analytics/files/smi_u_belarusi_2011_rus.pdf |url-status = dead
• {{cite journal |access-date = 2020-08-10 |archive-date = 24 January 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210124185510/http://media-azi.md/publicatii/publicate-de-altii/Media-Landscapes-ru.pdf |url-status = dead
• {{cite journal |access-date = 2020-08-11
• {{cite book |trans-title=History of Belarus: Encyclopaedia
• {{cite book |trans-title=History of the Native Word
• {{cite journal |access-date = 2020-08-04
• {{cite journal | trans-title = Vilnius in Belarusian Press Revival in Early XX Century: Ideological and Personal Connections
• {{cite journal |trans-title = National Question in "Nasha Niva" Newspaper (1910) |archive-date = 27 April 2014 |access-date = 13 August 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140427010813/http://www.hist.msu.ru/Labs/UkrBel/gronski-rab.htm#heading2 |url-status = dead
• {{cite journal |trans-title = Summer 1914 Events in Belarusian Newspaper "Nasha Niva"
• {{cite journal |trans-title = Belarusian National Movement before First World War: Witness Review in 1914
• {{cite journal |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" 1906-1915 and "Nasha Niva" 1920: One Project or Different Publications?
• {{cite journal
• {{cite journal |trans-title = Mass Media as a Tool in Cold Civil War
• {{cite book |archive-date=10 October 2021 |access-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010004636/https://www.adu.by/images/2019/06/ist-bel-morozova-9kl-rus.pdf |url-status=dead
• {{cite journal |trans-title = Book Printing and Publishing in Belarus between Late XVIII - Early XX Centuries |archive-date = 3 October 2020 |access-date = 13 August 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201003055104/https://director.nlb.by/director/images/stories/docs/pdf/knigoproiz.pdf |url-status = dead
• {{cite journal |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" Newspaper (1906–1915) in National Verbal and Cogitative Culture
• {{cite book |trans-title = Jews in the Belarus National Ideology of the Early XXth Century by the Newspaper "Nasha Niva" (1906–1915) |access-date = 2020-08-12
• {{cite journal |trans-title = Belarus-Ukraine Relationship and "Nasha Niva" Newspaper
• {{cite journal |trans-title = Dispute in Press on the National Issue in the Northwest Region (on Materials of the newspaper "Okrainy Rossii") |archive-date = 2 December 2020 |access-date = 13 August 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201202211233/https://elib.psu.by/bitstream/123456789/582/1/Cumareva_2012-1-p44.pdf |url-status = dead
• {{cite journal |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" and Belarusian National Movement in Early XX Century
• {{cite journal
• {{cite journal |trans-title = "Nasha Niva" Polemics and Right Press |archive-date = 2 December 2020 |access-date = 13 August 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201202221705/http://elib.psu.by:8080/bitstream/123456789/2206/1/Volzhenkova_2009-1-p34.pdf |url-status = dead

References

1. "Тыраж штотыднёвіка "Наша Ніва" дасягнуў 6000 ас. - Наша Ніва: першая беларуская газэта".
2. (2008-03-27). "Authorities crack down on independent journalists". [[Committee to Protect Journalists]].
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4. [https://t.me/s/Nashaniva ''Наша Ніва'']
5. (2022-08-15). "Belarusian 'Nasha Niva' has launched a Telegram channel in Ukrainian".
6. [https://nashaniva.com/be_latn/ «Naša Niva» łacinkaj]
7. [https://nashaniva.com/310889 Падарунак «НН» да Дня роднай мовы: ад сёння вы можаце чытаць нас лацінкай. 2023. Наша Ніва. 21 Feb.]
8. [https://nashaniva.com/be_latn/310889 Padarunak «NN» da Dnia rodnaj movy: ad siońnia vy možacie čytać nas łacinkaj. 2023.''Naša Niva''. 21 Feb.]
9. (2017-08-18). "История "Нашей Нивы" c 1906 года до наших дней". Nasha Niva.
10. "REPORT on relations with Belarus".
11. (2021-11-23). "В Белоруссии признали экстремистским Telegram-канал "Наша нива"".
12. (2022-01-27). "МВД Беларуси признало "экстремистским формированием" сайт и соцсети издания "Наша Нiва"".
13. (17 November 2021). "BAJ demands to stop using anti-extremist legislation to restrict freedom of speech".
14. (2010-02-20). "Прэмію "Люблю Беларусь" нарэшце ўручылі ляўрэатам". [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]].
15. Кепински, Ольга. (2021-08-12). "Все награды Free Media Awards присуждены белорусским журналистам". [[euronews]].