Success strategies in Belarusian literary criticism

Abstract

The article explores the strategies implemented by Belarusian literary critics to overcome the reputation crisis, common decline of reading and reduction of Belarusian language usage.
The risk strategy employs the means of cultural provocation, shock and scandal to cause public discussion. Becoming popular with young or amateur critics in the 2000s, the risk strategy enriches the literary process with discussion, helps new critics to appear in mass-media and stimulates professional critics. Provocative means ensure immediate but temporary  success of the critics.
A group of strategies create lasting effects on literary process. These are belletristic criticism (combines scientific analyses of literature with creative writing), enlightenment criticism (combines criticism with national enlightenment) and sublimation criticism (takes criticism for creative writing, is performed by writers).
Striving for individual success inseparable from Belarusian literature’s prosperity, critics develop a diversity of strategies. That ensures successful transformation of Belarusian literary criticism.