Siarhei ZAKONNIKAU, a poet and literary critic, was born in 1946 in Slabada village, Beshankovichi district. He is a second generation poet. His father published his poems in periodics before WWII and his uncle (father's brother), before being arrested for political reasons in 1934, was able to released his only book of poetry under the pseudonym Siarhei Rakita.

Zakonnikau started to publish his verses in 1963 and after 10 years his first book Talk appeared. Since then he has authored 12 books, including Incantation (1991, Yanka Kupala State Prize). From 1978-1986 he worked in the Central Committee of the Communist Party, where he was in charge of the literary section and was defending such writers as V. Bykau, U. Karatkevich and P. Panchanka from censorship's critics. He also published some 'subversive' books, like Ales Adamovich's Death Squad in 1981. In 1986 he was appointed the editor-in-chief of Polymia and on his second day of work he had a sudden visit from V. Bukau, who gave him a bouquet of roses and promised to publish all his large works only in Polymia, which was an essential support for the new editor. After his resignation in 2002 he started a new independent magazine Current. He is also involved in public and scholarly activities.

Aliaksei ZARYTSKI, a poet, prose writer and translator, was born into an office worker's family on March 22, 1911, in the Mahilou region. In 1928 he graduated from school in Babruisk and started working as an electrician at the local saw mill. In 1936 he graduated from Moscow Institute of Foreign Languages. From 1938 till 1946 he was in the Army, and took part in the fighting during World War II.

His first verse was published in 1927 and he authored several books of poetry. He was influenced by the Russian poet Tvardovski and also knew Arkadz Kuliashou and other key Belarusian authors. At first he wrote many narrative poems, however in the post war years he started searching for a literary style of his own. The epics of his style deepened and he wrote many ballads. His most fruitful years were the mid 1950s, when he wrote many long narrative poems, mostly of WWII. His poetry was published in a 2 volume edition in 1969. He translated from Russian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, German, Polish, Luzh-Serbian and authored several books of translations.

He was awarded 'Patriotic War' Order (2nd Degree) and medals.

Ales ZHUK, a prose writer, was born into the family of an office worker on April 1, 1947, in the village of Kleshau, Minsk region. In 1970 he graduated from the philological department of the Belarusian State University with a degree in Belarusian language and literature. After completing his service in the Army, he worked for the publishers Mastatskaya Literatura, Maladost magazine (1977-79), Litaratura i Mastatsva (1980 and on) and Polymia (since 1990).

His short stories were first published in 1965. He has received wide acclaim for his short stories and novellas, such as Autumn Cold Spells, Stars Over the Firing Ground, Hunting at the Old Lakes, Don't Forget Me, Along the Sleigh Path, and others. His main themes are today's problems, for instance ecology. He has also translated into Belarusian some works of Russian prose writers.

He is a Laureate of the Komsomol Prize (1978) and Ivan Melezh Literary Prize (1982).

Khviodar ZHYCHKA, a poet and a prose writer, was born into a peasant family on March 20, 1927, in the Homel region of Belarus. From 1944 till 1945 he served at the Baltic Navy. Afterwards he worked for various large newspapers and journals. In 1959 he graduated from Gorky Literary Institute, Moscow, and continued working for literary journals. He became Head Editor for Mastatskaya Litaratura Publishers (retired in December 1992).

Zhychka started writing poems in the navy. His first verses were published in 1947. He authored several books of poetry. His verses show romantics of the sea, navy, and work. He also wrote some prose and several stories for children as well as some collections of humour. He translated from various languages of the former USSR into Belarusian.

He was awarded Sign of Honour Order, Honorary Diplomas of the Supreme Council of Belarus, medals and prizes from Czechoslovakia for his poetic translations. Several of his poems were set to music.

Vasil ZUYONAK, a poet, translator and literary critic, was born into a peasant family on June 3, 1935, in the Minsk region of Belarus. In 1954 he graduated from Borisov Pedagogical Community College and entered the Belarusian State University, majoring in journalism. After graduation (1959) he worked for various national newspapers and journals. He took a PhD course by correspondence (1970). Since 1982 he has taken several key positions at the Union of Belarusian Writers.

His first verses were published in 1954 and he has authored several books of poetry and some of prose. He mostly writes about work, new science technologies, of a person in society, morals and ethics. He also wrote for children. He translated from Russian and Ukrainian.

He was awarded the Labour Red Banner Order, Honorary Diplomas of the Supreme Council of Belarus, a medal and two literary prizes: Comsomol Prize for his book Settlement (1974) and Kupala State Prize for his long poem The Silence of Grass (1982). Several of his verses were made into songs.