Ales HARUN (real name Alexander Prushynski), a poet, prose writer, publicist and political figure, was born near Minsk, into a family of a worker on March 11, 1887. Since his early childhood he showed high academic successes, attended several schools and was constantly studying on his own. In 1904 he became a member of the left wing political party and got involved in underground revolutionary activities, for which he was arrested on March 4, 1907. He was sentenced into exile in Siberia, where he endured hard labour but whilst there managed to put together a collection of his short stories called Mother's Gift which he sent to Vilnia in 1914. Unfortunately WWI prevented its publication and the book came out only in 1918 after Harun's return to Belarus. He returned home sick with tuberculosis. Shortly after his return he had the further trauma of witnessing his native country being invaded. Despite this, he was still able to continue his literary and social activities. After the revolution of 1917 he did not notice any changes in the Bolsheviks politics, regarding what he considered to be the most crucial issues. As a result he tried to find answers in other parties and unions. After September 1919 he not only refrained from producing anti-Soviet articles but he even began expressing his hopes for a brighter future. Finally, in 1920 he fell very ill and was carried on a medical train to Krakow, where he died at the age of 33.

He started writing as a child, first in Russian and then in Belarusian. He continued writing during the nights in Siberia, after composing his works in his head as he toiled at the hard labour during the day. He did not stop his writing after he returned to occupied Belarus during the war years. Whilst he pursued the everyday worker's life he was also involved with high levels of government. This resulted in his works speaking into all levels of society. Harun entered the annals of Belarusian literature as an author of excellent poetic works; works that are found in his book as well as many other publications. He authored short stories, plays for children's theatre and various articles. Through his life as well as his writings, Harun provided an example of courage and patriotism in difficult circumstances, condemning the social injustice and lies of his time.

Stsiapan HAURUSIOU, a poet, translator, and critic, was born into the family of a peasant living in the Mahilou region, Belarus, on May 5, 1931. He graduated from Mahilou Pedagogical Community College in 1951. After his service in the army he worked for various newspapers and for Belarus Publishers. He travelled a lot within Belarus.

Haurusiou started writing verses at the age of 8. His first verses were published in 1948. After that, he authored numerous books of poetry. His main themes were the memories of WWII, the creative work of his contemporaries and the beauty of nature. His style combines a prophetic tone with intimate lyrics and melody. He translated a bulk of poetry from Russian, Lithuanian, Tajik, Azerbaijan, Bashkirian, and a variety of poets from other areas. He also wrote literary critical articles. Many of his poems were set to music.

Larysa HENIYUSH (maiden name Miklashevich), a poetess and prose writer, was born into a peasant family living in the Hrodna region on August 9, 1910 in Zhlobautsy manor. Her parents fled from Belarus, as refugees, during WWI and returned home in 1919. She graduated from a Polish grammar school in Vaukavysk (1928). In 1937 she moved to Prague where her husband studied at university. She was active in Belarusian йmigrй activities, including Belarusian Democratic Republic (BNR, which was the government of Belarus from approximately 1918 through to 1920) where she was a secretary for some time. During the Nazi invasion she was persecuted by the authorities and was left without citizenship. She published her poems in the newspapers Morning, Belarusian Worker and in The New Way journal. In 1948 she was arrested, together with her husband, in the Czech capital and taken to Minsk where she was interrogated about her work with the BNR. She was then sentenced to 25 years in the work camps by a Belarusian Court and exiled to Siberia on the charge of collaborating with the Nazis. In 1956 the Supreme Council Commission of the USSR found the sentence was well grounded, but decided to shorten the term to 8 years. After these 8 years she moved to Zelva settlement, Hrodna region, where she lived, without becoming a Soviet citizen, till her death.

Heniyush debuted with her poems in 1939. The first collection of verses From Native Fields was published in Prague in 1942 and later followed by several others. She also authored some poetic books for children - Fairy Tales for Mikhaska (1972) and Good morning, Ales! (1976). Heritage magazine published her long poem To My Granny (1989) and Maladost printed her story Confession (1990).

Nil HILEVICH, a poet, translator, folklorist, literary critic, playwright and political figure, was born into a peasant's family from the Minsk region, Belarus, on September 30, 1931. Straight after the war he worked as a postman. He later graduated from Minsk Pedagogical Community College (1951), from the Belarusian State University (1956) and went on to study for a PhD in literature (1963). He worked as a teacher, as a lecturer and as a consultant for a newspaper. Hilevich presided over the Union of Belarusian Writers for several years and was elected deputy to the Supreme Council.

His first verse was published in 1946. Since then, he has authored several books of poetry, a book of plays and has written numerous literary articles and reviews. Hilevich studies Bulgarian poetry and has translated a bulk of poetry from Bulgarian, compiled several anthologies of Bulgarian poetry, and has also translated from Slovenian, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, Luzhits, and other Slavonic languages. He has compiled several folklore collections and is famous for his long poems. Due to Hilevich's taking an active social role, many of his verses are full of patriotic zeal. Many of them are ironical and sarcastic in their portrayal of social life. His poems also have a clear tie with folklore and subsequently many of them were set to music.

He has been awarded a medal and the 'Cyril and Mephodius Order' (1 Degree) from Bulgaria, and the 'Yugoslavian Star Order' from Yugoslavia. He was awarded the title of the 'People's Poet of Belarus' (1991), and the Kupala State Prize for his book of poetry Living in One Accord (1980) and for his translations.

32. Piatro HLEBKA, a poet, children's writer, translator, playwright, scientist, and a political figure, was born July 6, 1905, into a family of a peasant in the Minsk region. After graduating from school (1923) he worked as a secretary at a collective farm. He entered Minsk Pedagogical Community College (1924) but transferred to the Belarusian State University (1927). At the same time he worked for Uzvyshsha literary journal. After graduation he worked for various newspapers and journals. During World War II Hlebka worked for front newspapers and for main Belarusian publishing companies in Moscow and in Belarus. In 1944 he made the position of chairperson of the board, for making Russian-Belarusian translation dictionaries. In 1945 he began working for the National Academy of Sciences (first in the Institute of Literature, then he went on to preside over the Institute of Ethnography and Folklore). He was elected 'Academician' in 1957.

His first verses were published in 1925. He authored many books of poetry and his works were edited into two and three volume editions. He wrote a few dramas; a script for opera; several essays; several literary reviews and articles; and translated a bulk of Russian classics, and other authors from different countries, into Belarusian. His early poetry is full of romanticizing the new order, some of them being fairly primitive. His WWII poems are written with much love to his people; Hlebka creates an image of a brave soldier protecting his country. The main post-war themes, used by him, were the rebuilding of the destroyed towns and villages, memories of war, and the strive for peace. His style is passionate, heroic, romantic, and yet lyrical.

Hlebka was awarded several orders and medals. A school in Minsk region as well as a street in Minsk bear his name.

Anatol HRACHANIKAU, a poet, was born into the family of an office worker in the Homel region, Belarus, on September 8, 1938. After graduating from the Homel Institute for Railway Engineering he worked at the Homel mechanic factory (1960-1962). After that he worked for various government offices and for different literary newspapers. From 1969-1971 he was the vice president of the Union of Belarusian Writers. After which he worked for several literary journals.

His first verses were published in 1957. He authored several books of poetry, the poems being very deep and diverse in themes. His poems display his knowledge of psychology. The contents of his poems focus on Belarus' historical past and use it to create a better understanding of current problems. Many of his verses became songs due to their melodic nature and the unity of form and thought found within them. He also wrote critical articles and did some translations.

He was awarded Belarusian Komsomol Prize for active participation in youth organizations and the collection of verses Mushroom Time (1974); the State Prize of Belarus for his three books of verse (1984); the USSR Literary Competition for his book Stars and Burial Mounds (1978); and the Belarusian Competition for the best work for children (1982). He was awarded Honorary Addresses of the Supreme Council of Belarus, of Lithuania, of Kyrgyzia, amongst other medals.

34. Siarhei HRAKHOUSKI, a poet, prose writer and translator, was born September 25, 1913, into a peasant's family living in the Minsk Division (now Ukraine). He spent his childhood years in the Mahilyou region and started working in a saw mill. In 1935 he graduated from Minsk Pedagogical Institute. In 1936 he was falsely accused of a crime and sent to Russia to serve a 10 year sentence. He was released some time between 1946 and 1949 and became a school teacher. In 1947 the Supreme Council of Belarus declared him free from all charges. However, he was arrested again and, in accordance with the previous charges, was sent into exile in Siberia, where he was meant to spend the rest of his life. In October 19, 1955, he was declared completely free from all the charges. He returned to Minsk, where he started working for the Belarusian radio. He also worked for several journals and consulted at the Union of Belarusian Writers. In 1973-1974 he was presiding over the State Committee in Prizes for Literature, Art, and Architecture.

His first verses were published in 1926. He authored numerous poetical books and also wrote a book of short stories, stories for children, documentary stories and other prosaic pieces. His main themes were being faithful to one's country, moral issues and feeling one's duty for the time one lives in. In his later years he could finally express all his former life experiences. He believed in the clarity of traditional verse and forms. His style was meditative, open, lyrical, and peaceful. Many of his verses were set to music.

He translated from Jules-Verne's, Russian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, and Avarian and was awarded with medals for this work.