Aleh LOIKA, a poet, prose writer, literary critic and translator, was born May 1, 1931 into a family of a doctor who was renowned for his knowledge among the locals. Loika did a lot of reading, which he started at an early age. He graduated from Belarusian State University in 1953 and stayed on to completed post graduate studies there. He holds a PhD in literature (1969) and is an honorary member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (1989).

Loika has authored more than 20 books of poetry. They all have a common feature in that they focus on his thoughts on life, deep faith in the human spirit, delight in beauty and kindness and Belarusian traditional values. His verses, written in an optimistic and romantic style, strive to give voice to social issues and to attain spiritual heights.

He has authored many verses for children and many of his poems were turned into songs. As a literary critic he has published more than 450 papers (among them 6 books and a 2 volume edition of the History of Belarusian Literature). He has also translated works from French and German into Belarusian.

Loika was awarded the National Kolas Award of Belarus (1990) for his novel Frantsysk Skaryna.

Yeudakiya LOS, a poetess, was born into a peasant family on March 1, 1929, in the Vitsebsk region, Belarus. She studied at a teachers' community college, and then at a Pedagogical University in Minsk. She worked on the children's newspaper Zor'ka (1951 - 1952) and later was an editor of various magazines and publishing companies.

Her first verse was published in 1948 and she authored 13 original books of poetry. Her poetry has a clear tone and demonstrates a warm love of her country and people. Many of her verses validate the experiences of the survivors of war, of women and of human relationships.

Many of Los' poems were set to music and translated into several languages.

She was rewarded with the order 'Sign of Respect', a variety of medals and the Honorary Addresses of the Supreme Council of Belarus and Latvia.

A street in Vitsebsk and also a local library have been named after her.

Mikola LUPSIAKOU, prose writer, writer for children and translator, was born in Moscow March 4, 1919, into a family of peasants from Belarus. His parents returned home to the Homel region in 1921. Lynkou started writing whilst still at school and was corresponding with K. Chorny. In 1935 he entered Belarusian State University and later studied at the Minsk Pedagogical Institute (graduating in 1941). He took part in WWII and was wounded in action. After the war Lupsiakou worked for a variety of magazines.

His first story appeared in 1935. After that he authored several collections of stories. They are psychologically deep and portray the author's beliefs in the necessity of every person taking an active social role in life. He translated, into Belarusian, the works of J. London as well as some Russian writers, such as A. Haidar.

Maksim LUZHANIN (real name Aliaksandr Karatai), a poet, prose writer, script writer and a translator, was born October 10, 1909, into a peasant family in the Minsk region. He was greatly influenced by Y.Kupala's poetry.

He studied in Minsk Teachers' Community College (1924), with other students who together formed the literary union Maladniak. He later studied at the Belarusian State University. Luzhanin worked as an editor of a magazine and for different radio programmes. On August 10, 1933 he had false charges brought against him and was convicted to a two year sentence. He took part in World War II, and served in the great battle of Stalingrad. After the war he continued as an editor, after which he worked as a script writer and later as an editor for Belarusfilm. He was a Belarusian representative to a UN Session in 1968.

He started writing poetry in 1925. Luzhanin authored dozens of poetical books, various essays, memoirs, short stories, etc. His early writings are emotional, romantic and lofty. In them he praises his country, work and the heroic deeds of people during the war. His verses of the 1950s have a more mature character, with wider views and improved lines. In them he talks about relationships, patriotic feelings and humorous occasions.

He wrote memoirs about some outstanding personalities of Belarus. He also translated works from Russian, Polish, and Ukrainian.

During his life he was awarded several orders: 'Lenin' Order, 'Patriotic War' (2nd Grade) Order, 'Friendship of Nations Order' amongst other medals and orders. He was given Honorary Addresses of Belarus, Moldova and Lithuania, as well as the title of 'Honorary Worker of Arts of Belarus' (1969) and 'Honorary Worker of Culture of Poland' (1975). He was honoured with Kolas Literary Prize for the book Kolas Talks of Himself (1965).

55. Mikhas LYNKOU, a prose writer, children's author, literary critic, scholar, and a political figure, was born November 18 (30), 1899, in Zazyby village, Vitsebsk region. He was the son of a railway worker. He worked as a teacher after graduating from Teachers' Seminary (1917). During the German invasion (1918) Lynkou was one of the leaders of a guerrilla detachment. After WWI he returned to teaching, was an active newspaper correspondent and arranged Babruisk branch of Maladniak literary association. In 1930 he moved to Minsk where he worked with the Union of Belarusian Writers. During WWII he wrote for newspapers that were delivered to soldiers at the front line. In 1943-46 and in 1949-52 he was the Director of the Institute of Literature, Language and Arts at the Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Lynkou was elected deputy to the Supreme Council of Belarus in 1940-75.

His first verse was published in 1919 and the first story appeared in 1926. Lunkou authored a number of books, for both adults and children. His main topics were the revolution of 1917 and the changing mentality of people as a result of a new order, and WWII.

He was awarded three 'Lenin' Orders, three 'Red Labour Banner' Orders, 'Red Star' Order and various medals. He was given the title of 'People's writer of Belarus' (1962) also 'Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus' (1953), being a correspondent member of the Academy from 1936. Lynkou was awarded Laureate of 'Yakub Kolas Belarusian National Prize' (1968). Several streets in various towns bear his name.