Mikhas KALACHYNSKI, a poet, translator, and script writer, was born December 30, 1916, in the Minsk region, into a family of a peasant (he was the 5th son). He started working at an early age, helping his family in the village. In 1936 he finished a course in journalism at the Communistic Institute of Journalism in Minsk. He worked as a children's counsellor and as an editor in various newspapers and journals. In 1938 he was summoned to the Army and had to take part in the Finnish war. During World War II he worked at a front newspaper. Kalachynski took several posts with the Union of Belarusian Writers, in Soviet-Bulgarian Friendship Society.

His first verse was published in 1932. He published two books of poetry for children, before WWII; wrote many books for children; and authored quite a few poetical books, where he shared his thoughts about life after war, daily life of common people, their hopes and aspirations and desire to live in peace with all the nations. He also translated the works of Russian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Mongolian poets and wrote several scripts for documentaries about Belarus and her nature.

He was awarded with various orders: Work Red Banner, Friendship of Nations, Red Star, Patriotic War (II Degree) and twice Sign of Honor Order, medals.

He was awarded the honorary worker of Culture of Belarus (1974).

Victar KARAMAZAU, a prose writer, was born in 1934, into a family of school teachers in the town of Cherykau, Mahilou region. During WWII the family fled to Russia and lived there till Belarus was liberated in 1944. From 1953 - 1958 he studied journalism at the philological faculty of the Belarusian State University. He subsequently worked on local, regional and national newspapers, heading the departments responsible for science, education, literature and art. In 1971 he moved to television and in 1981, for a short time, he was in charge of the essay department of Polymia literary journal. After that he became a consultant for the Union of Belarusian Writers. He spent the rest of his career, from 1986 onward, as a full-time writer. He took part in the 22nd Session of UNESCO General Assembly as a Belarusian representative.

His first story, published in 1957, was followed by many other short stories and novellas which have always found a good response. Especially popular among his books are The Wounded Bird, Over Melted Snow, The Spiral, A Rainbow in Midwinter and the novel The Forest Reserve. His main topic is village life, inner world of a person, travelling sketches.

Amongst other awards he received the 'Sign of Honour' Order, Honorary Addresses, including one from the Supreme Council of Belarus. He also won the Laureate of Kalinouski Belarusian National Prize (1990).

Uladzimir KARATKEVICH, a poet and a prose writer, playwright, critic, translator, script writer, was born November 26, 1930, in Orsha, Vitebsk region, Belarus, into a gentry family with a long history and a coat of arms. He had a variety of talents even from childhood: drawing, acting, playing music, etc. During World War II he lived in Moscow with his sister and had no contact with his parents or any information on their whereabouts. He became vagabonding in Russia and when he was taken to an orphanage he tried to escape from it several times. He finally managed to find his parents, who had moved, in Russia. In 1944 he moved back to Belarus. From 1949-54 Karatkevich studied literature in Kiev's University, Ukraine. In early 1959 he sent his first works to Yakub Kolas to be evaluated. After graduation (summa cum laude) he stayed on to study for a PhD in history. He went on to work as a teacher for some time before attending an advanced, and later a higher stage, literary course in Moscow before becoming a full-time writer.

His first published work was a poem which appeared in 1951 in a local newspaper, to be followed by three collections of verse. His poetry is full of romance and zeal for his country, humour, and humanistic values. However, Karatkevich is mostly known because of his historical prose. It was due to him that Belarusian spirit of Romanticism was upheld, even at times when Belarusian language and culture were not encouraged. He romanticized the historical past, which made his books more vivid and passionate and very appealing to youth, who at the time didn't know much about the glorious past of their country. Due to his efforts many of the young people started thinking of their attitude towards Belarusian culture and their forefathers. This new romanticism was later adopted by writers in the 1990s. He is considered to be one of the most 'national' writers of the 20th century.

He published a large number of short stories, in collections entitled Chazenia, The Eye of the Typhoon, From Past Ages and others, as well as the novels Unforgettable, The Dark Castle Alshanski.

Karatkevich wrote several plays (that are still actively staged); screenplays for short and feature films; a number of essays; various critical reviews; and detective and adventure stories, like King Stakh's Wild Hunt. His essay Land Under White Wings speaks of Belarus and displays her land and culture to a stranger in a way like never before. The essay became a revelation for Belarusians and is now considered an 'encyclopaedia of Belarus'.

He was awarded the 'Friendship of Nations Order'.

Halina KARZHANEUSKAYA, a poet and literary critic was born on August 27, 1950 in Minsk region into a middle class family. In 1968 she graduated from a local high school and entered Belarusian State University, Philological Department. Starting from the third year she transferred to the correspondence course and began to teach at the school she had gone to. After graduating from the BSU (1973) she taught the Belarusian language and the literature at another school in the area. In 1980-1982 H. Karzhaneuskaya was an editor of a literary drama edition of Belarusian TV. In 1984 she worked as the journalist in Prose and Poetry Department till she became the Head of Critics Department in Litaratura i Mastatsva. Literary newspaper in 1986.

She authored six books of poetry and took part in several poetry festivals. Her plays were staged in Vitsebsk and Homel theatres. She also writes critical reviews.

40. Victar KAZKO, a prose writer, was born in 1940 in the city of Kalinkovichi, Homel region, into a family of blue-collar workers. During WWII his mother died as a result of a bomb exploding and his little sister froze to death. He was raised in a few different orphanages. At sixteen he set off for Siberia. He went to the coal-mining city of Kemerovo, where he completed his secondary education and acquired a trade while attending the technical school of the mining industry there. He then worked in the mines and as a shaft sinker with prospecting parties. Later he turned to a career in journalism. Kazko was a correspondent for a series of newspapers and worked at a radio station. In 1970 he graduated from the correspondence division of the Gorky Institute of Literature in Moscow and then moved to Minsk. In 1971 he started work in Minsk contributing to the central newspapers and magazines before becoming a full-time writer in 1976.

His first short story was published in 1971. Kozko has written several volumes of short stories and novellas which have become quite popular. They include Leap Year, Hello and Goodbye, Judgement Day, A Pear Blooms in the Woodlands, and the novels A Winding Road and A Chronicle of Orphanage Garden. His stories are psychological, philosophical and written mostly of war and nature. Some of them were filmed and translated into several languages.

Kazko has been awarded Komsomol Literary Prize (1977) and the Kolas Belarusian National Prize (1982).

Mikola KHVEDAROVICH, a poet, prose writer, and a translator, was born into a poor peasant's family in the Minsk region, Belarus, on April 4, 1904. During World War I, as a runaway to Kaluga, Russia, he was taken to a shelter for run-away children. Later he studied in the city's community college. In 1918 he went back home and entered a local college. During German occupation he worked as an agricultural worker. After the liberation he joined special troops. In 1928 he graduated from Minsk courses for workers and entered Belarusian State University to study linguistics. In 1938 he was arrested and sent to Siberia, only being returned to Minsk in 1956.

His first verses were published in 1925. He has authored various books of poetry, memoirs, translated several poems of Pushkin (the greatest Russian classic) into Belarusian and other prominent Russian, Georgian and Hungarian authors. He also translated several dramas for various theatres in Minsk. Some of his verses were turned into songs.

Khvedarovich was awarded with medals. In 1981 he was awarded the Prize of Hungarian Literature and Art Agency for spreading Hungarian poetry in Belarusian.

Kastus KIREYENKA, a poet, prose writer, literary critic, and a translator, was born December 12, 1918, in Mahilou's district, Belarus, into a peasant family. In 1940 he graduated from Homel Pedagogical Institute with a major in literature. After a few months of teaching at school he was summoned to the army. During World War II he served in tank troops, then as a journalist for a front newspaper. After war he worked for several major literary journals. In 1969 the poet took part in the UN Session as a Belarus representative.

His first verses were published in 1939. He then authored many books of poetry, including books for children, several stories and a documental one. He translated into Belarusian from Russian, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian poetry. His post-war verses were devoted to current life problems and compile passionate social call with soft lyricism and openness in his feelings. With time, his verses became more philosophical and humanistic. He also wrote for children.

Kireyenka was awarded various orders and medals, two State Literary Prizes for his books Thirst (1963) and The Book of One Hundred Songs (1972) as well as the title of the 'Honorary worker of Culture of Belarus' (1970).

Yakub KOLAS is usually placed after Yanka Kupala in order of importance in Belarusian literature, but his role in Belarusian literature and culture is far from being secondary. He was truly a distinguished poet, prose writer, teacher, lexicographer, and academician. Kolas, together with Janka Kupala, one of the 'Founding Fathers' of modern Belarusian literature, was very different in his poetical voice. He is generally considered very 'down-to-earth' poet. That is proven not only by the fact that he authored a great epic New Land (claimed by the critics as 'encyclopaedia of Belarusian peasantry's life at the end of the 19th century') but also by his pen-name. Kolas means "ear of grain", indicating the poet's connection with the land and the lot of the peasantry.

Kolas' real name was Kanstancin Mitskevich and he was born November 3, 1882, into the family of a forester. He graduated from the Niasvizh Teachers' Seminary (1902) and has taught in schools. He was imprisoned for three years (1908-1911) for activism in the cause of opening Belarusian schools, which had been prohibited by the tsarist government.

Kolas authored two classical narrative poems, New Land and Symon the Musician. He also wrote artistic pieces of prose - a trilogy At the Crossroads (about a teacher in outback Belarus), story The Marsh (about guerrilla movement) and many short stories. He was also active as a teacher and scholar. Kolas' early literary works reveal social deprivation and economic hardship that the peasantry had to endure. He also depicted daily country life in colourful detail and reflected strivings for freedom and cultural emancipation.

For his literary work, Yakub Kolas was awarded the honorary title of 'People's Poet' (1926). In 1929, he was elected vice president of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences.

Kandrat KRAPIVA, playwright, poet, prose writer, scientist and a political figure, was born March 3, 1896 in Minsk region, in a peasant's family. His real name was Kandrat Atrakhovich, his pen-name Krapiva meaning 'stinging nettle' - for the satirical verses Krapiva is mostly known for.

He graduated from Uzda People's Community College. In 1913 he passed an exam to become a teacher and then taught in a village school for one year before being summoned for World War I (he was in action at Romania). As a teacher he was allowed to quit the army in 1918 to teach. In 1920-1923 Kandrat took part in action in the Red Army. In 1924 he taught at a village school and in 1925 moved to Minsk, where he entered the two largest literary unions and graduated from Belarusian State University, majoring in literature and linguistics. Later he took part in the liberation of Western Belarus and in the Finnish War (1939-1940). During World War II Kandrat worked in the "front" newspapers. After war he worked at the Academy of Sciences, presiding over the Institute of Linguistics. He took part in the IUN Session as a Belarus representative. He held a PhD (1953) and was elected Academician of the National Academy of Sciences. He ultimately became the Deputy of the Supreme Council of Belarus.

Krapiva started writing in 1922 as a satirical poet, his particular forte being satirical fables. He authored many humorous books, plays (all of which were staged and many filmed), and several novels. He also wrote many literary reviews and critical articles and was one of the editors of the large Russian-Belarusian Translation Dictionary. His works were published in three, four and five volume editions. He was an accomplished translator and translated into Belarusian many of the works of Russian classics, of W. Shakespeare, of Marx and others. He created a new trend of satire in Belarusian literature and influenced many poets and playwrights.

He was awarded numerous orders and medals. He was also given the title of 'People's Writer of Belarus' (1956), and 'Honorary Worker of Science of Belarus' (1978). Krapiva was awarded thrice the USSR State Prize for Literature - two of them for his plays and the third for his works in dialectology, and also awarded Belarusian State Prize for one of his plays. The Institute of Arts, Ethnography and Folklore bears his name as well as a school in his native town.

Anatol KUDRAVETS, a prose writer and translator, was born in the village of Akolitsa, Mahilou region in 1936, into the family of collective farmers. In 1949 his father unexpectedly died and his mother was left to take care of six children. In 1955 he graduated from the Slutsk pedagogical institute and went to teach at a school, after which he served in the Army. In 1963 he graduated from the journalism department at the Belarusian State University and then worked for the newspaper Litaratura i Mastatstva, as an editor with the Belarusian radio, for the magazines Maladost and Nioman, and for the Mastatskaya Literatura publishing house. He took part in the 34th Session of the UN General Assembly in 1979.

His first short stories were published in 1960. Kudravets is the author of many popular collections of stories, including On the Green Path, The Eve of the Holiday, and Winters and Springs. He has also written several television film scripts and has translated many works of foreign literature into Belarusian, including Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. Some of his works have been filmed and translated into many languages.

He has been awarded the 'Friendship of Nations' Order, Honorary Addresses of the Supreme Council of Belarus, and 'Kolas Belarusian National Prize' (1986).

Aliaksei KULAKOUSKI, a prose writer, was born in Kulaki, Minsk region, April 9, 1913 into a peasant family. In 1931 he finished a vocational school and then worked in a wood-working cooperative. He went on to study at the teacher-training college in Minsk, from which he graduated in 1939. In the meantime he had already gained some experience in reporting, and his contributions appeared in the magazines Belarus and Maladost. Kulakouski fought in WWII and afterwards worked for several large newspapers and magazines, before becoming a full-time writer in 1958. From 1977 onwards he was a director of the Yanka Kupala Literary Museum. He took part in the 27th Session of the UN General Assembly in 1972.

His first sketches were published in 1932 and his stories appeared in 1945. Today Aleksei Kulakousky is the popular author of many books of stories Garden, Daughter-in-Law, Mint Growing under the Windows, Native Longitudes; the novels Known and Unknown Paths, Cornflowers, Encounters at the Crossroads; stories for children and also a number of translations from Russian, Uzbek and Ukrainian writers. His stories portray the real life and problems of his generation. His satirical story Goodwill settlers (or Last Pilipauka) portrayed demagogues and careerists in a way that challenged many readers to reconsider their own priorities. The realities that this story highlights were not popular with some and ended up costing him his job as the editor-in-chief of the Maladost journal. His story Daughter-in-Law was turned into a film and many of his other stories were translated into other languages.

He was awarded the 'Red Star', 'Red Labour Banner', Friendship of Nations Orders, 2 'Sign of Honour' Orders, Honorary Addresses of the Supreme Council of Belarus, and given the title of 'Honorary Worker of Culture of Belarus' (1974).

Arkadz KULIASHOU, a poet and translator, was born into a family of village teachers in the Mahilou's region on January 24, 1914. His parents loved to sing (his father even sang in the Moscow opera for some time). During the war his father was taken to the concentration camps but managed to survive. Kuliashou studied in Mstislavl Pedagogical College. From 1930 onwards he lived in Minsk where he worked for various newspapers and journals. During WWII he worked at a "front" newspaper, in the Belarusian resistance H.Q. After war he worked at Belarusfilm as a head of script department, and wrote several scripts.

His first verses were done in Russian at the age of 6. In 1926 his first poems were published in a local newspaper. His first book, The Blossoming of the Earth appeared in 1930, when he was 16. He constantly worked on his style, turning to folklore and the classics of Belarusian literature and authored many wonderful poems and ballads. He was the first to meditate on the feelings of a man coming home from a space flight and his later poetry has vivid philosophical tendencies. He translated many works from Russian and Ukrainian classics. His translations are considered some of the best in Belarusian literature. He also wrote critical reviews. Many of his poems became well-known songs.

He was given the title 'The People's Poet of Belarus' (1968), Honorary Worker of Culture of Ukraine (1973), many orders and medals, and Honorary Addresses of the Supreme Council of Belarus. He was also awarded State Prizes of the USSR for his books The Flag of the Brigade (1946), New Course (1949), Kupala State Belarusian Prize for his translations of Russian and Ukrainian classics and of Song of Haiwatha by H. Longfellow (1970), Belarusian Comsomol Prize (1968) for long narrative poems Stern Dense Forest, Forward Only, Song of a Glorious March and verses in newspapers and journals. His name bears a University in Mahilou, two schools and two streets in Minsk and Kastsyukovichi, as well the Prize for best works in poetry and drama (since 1979).

Yanka KUPALA is always mentioned first out of the three most distinguished poets in Belarus. His role and influence on many Belarusian authors is truly crucial. He was the first to challenge Belarusians to "be called human". Kupala is generally considered the foremost poet and playwright of Belarus. Due to his passionate call he is often called the "National Prophet".

His real name was Ivan Lutsevich. The pen name Kupala refers to the ancient summer solstice ritual, Kupalle (also referred to as Ivan Kupala). Kupala was born on July 7, 1882 on the farmstead of Viazynka, Vilna province, into a lesser gentry family. He studied under a tutor and in the state school; after himself teaching for a time, he attended a series of General Educational Courses in St Petersburg (1909-13). His first poem appeared in print in 1904. He was active in the Nasha Niva movement (1905-14) during this time he produced the books The Flute (1908), The Minstrel (1910), On Paths of Life (1913) and also his dramas Paulinka and The Ravaged Nest. A great burst of poetic activity immediately after the Revolution produced Heritage (1922) and The Unknown (1925). Under the period of Stalinism he was arrested as a 'National Democrat' and released only after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Some of Kupala's literary works were banned during the Soviet period because of their ardent patriotism and denunciation of tsarist and Polish imperialisms. During the 1930s, he was concerned mainly with translation work, but began a new burst of poetic activity on the outbreak of war, which was cut short by his death, in Moscow, in 1942, where he died from unknown causes under suspicious circumstances. There have been many speculations about the cause of his death, one of the strong versions being that he was murdered by the regime.

Together with Yakub Kolas and Maxim Bahdanovich, Kupala laid the ground work for modern Belarusian literature. He was the first to receive the honorary title of 'People's Poet' (1925). Largely self-educated, he was elected to the Belarusian Academy of Sciences (1928) and that of Ukraine (1929) for his literary achievements. His name was given to a Literary Award for works of poetry and drama (1966) and many institutions and objects (streets, parks, etc.) in Belarus.

Mikola KUSIANKOU, a poet and a prose writer, was born February 11, 1935 in Homel region, Belarus, to a teacher's family. He graduated from Buda-Kashaliou Forrest Community College in 1953. He worked as a forester, an engineer, an editor of documentaries at Belarusfilm, a writer for literary journals and he also worked for Mastatskaya Litaratura Publishers. He took a journalistic course by correspondence at BSU (1982).

His first verse was published in 1955 and altogether he authored three books. His poems speak of his experiences in Belarus and far beyond her borders. In his best verses Kusiankou showed his deep knowledge of life and always tried to find new ways to express his feelings.

He was awarded Kuliashou Literary Prize for the book of poetry Oak Wood (1991).