Refugees, Soldiers, “DPs”. Belarusians in Western Europe in the Light of Correspondence with Liavon Rydleuski (1946–1947). Prolegomena

Abstract

The article is devoted to the correspondence conducted in 1946-1947 by Liavon Rydleuski, a Belarusian emigration activist, with Belarusians who found themselves in France or wanted to settle there. The main reason for the interest in the letters was the desire to recognise their potential in the study of the diaspora and its fate. It should be noted that this is not a new source in the study of Belarusian emigration, but until now researchers have focused primarily on the correspondence of well-known, recognisable people. In contrast, the letters that form the basis of the article were written by people who do not belong to this group. This correspondence was drawn up from the formal side, as well as using such method as content analysis. It demonstrated the presence of two main thematic fields: the diaspora as a socio-anthropological and political entity, within which many minor threads can be found. It also proved that letters written by ordinary people can also be useful for the study of Belarusian diaspora.