Timothy Snyder on the history and future of Belarus

The current political constitution of Belarus will be at the center of this lecture by Timothy Snyder. He will explain to what extent the prevailing regime is to be qualified as an extreme example of modern authoritarianism. A characteristic of this form of authoritarianism is that it suppresses the peculiarities of a nation and instead reduces a generic, nostalgic construct with the aim of obedient to obedient.

While the situation in Belarus is extremely serious, it is by no means unimaginative. In order to illustrate this, Timothy Snyder will respond to the colorful and eventful history of the Belarusian nation and show that promising future prospects can grow from dealing with the past.

The event is moderated by Stephanie FenkartDirector of the International Institute for Peace.

The lecture follows a Q&A. Timothy Snyder’s books can be purchased on site; A signing lesson takes place after the event.

Timothy Snyder Is Lesya Ukrainka Permanent Fellow at the IWM and has the Chair of Modern European History on the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy from Toronto University. The well -known historian is the author or publisher of over twenty books as well as sponsors of numerous prices and honorary documents. His award -winning publications include Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin (2010); Thinking the Twentieth Century (with Tony Judt, 2012); Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning (2015); On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (2017); The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America (2018); and his recently published book On Freedom (2024).

A notice:
On the day of the lecture itself, Timothy Snyder is not available for interviews. Interview inquiries can be addressed to the IWM. If you are interested, please contact us at the given address.

Belarus: Ancient and Modern. A reconsideration of a central European history

Datum: 06/27/2025, 6:30 p.m.

Art: Lectures and discussions

Ort: Vienna Museum

URL: https://www.wienmuseum.at/event/1971