Episode
The Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
1:52:51
Published: Sun Apr 10 2022
Description
For more than two decades, Belarus existed in an equilibrium of quiet authoritarianism. If the government’s repressions didn’t directly touch them, most Belarusians tolerated them. But over the course of 2020, the country’s history and identity, which never much interested a majority of people who lived there, became something they would sacrifice their lives for.Sarah A. Topol explores the battle over a political mural in a public park in Minsk and considers the future of Belarus. As a remarkable campaign of defiance against an increasingly totalitarian regime, the mural is an emblem of strength and a call for change — but to what end?This story was written by Sarah A. Topol and recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.
Chapters
The story follows residents grappling with changes from a soft, authoritarian system to a totalitarian one, leaving some disillusioned with their ideal country.
00:00 - 07:10 (07:10)
Summary
The story follows residents grappling with changes from a soft, authoritarian system to a totalitarian one, leaving some disillusioned with their ideal country. Apartments once bought by young upper-middle-class people now hold the weight of a changing society.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Diana watched a regime's concert from her apartment in Belarus that was sparsely attended by people, except for few who came waving the red and green flag Lukashenko had resurrected from Soviet times.
07:10 - 20:42 (13:31)
Summary
Diana watched a regime's concert from her apartment in Belarus that was sparsely attended by people, except for few who came waving the red and green flag Lukashenko had resurrected from Soviet times. The red and white flag of the Belarusian National Republic replaced the Belarusian-Soviet Socialist Republic flag, but the institutions remained largely the same.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
The government of Belarus unjustly sentenced opposition members with politically motivated verdicts, whereas those aligned with the regime evaded punishment.
20:42 - 28:43 (08:01)
Summary
The government of Belarus unjustly sentenced opposition members with politically motivated verdicts, whereas those aligned with the regime evaded punishment. The regime persecutes critics using technicalities instead of justly upholding the law.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Buy COVID-19, a crowdfunded volunteer initiative, raised 370,000 euros in April 2020 to purchase personal protective equipment, while Belarus made efforts at political liberalization, encouraging national identity and marketing itself as a neutral country.
28:43 - 36:51 (08:07)
Summary
Buy COVID-19, a crowdfunded volunteer initiative, raised 370,000 euros in April 2020 to purchase personal protective equipment, while Belarus made efforts at political liberalization, encouraging national identity and marketing itself as a neutral country.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
The use of the platform Goalus in Belarus is providing an alternative poll count, and protests against the government continue despite violent suppression.
36:51 - 42:10 (05:19)
Summary
The use of the platform Goalus in Belarus is providing an alternative poll count, and protests against the government continue despite violent suppression.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Residents of a building in Minsk, Belarus found refuge in their courtyard, where they were able to create a community without fear of being detained by authorities.
42:10 - 51:48 (09:38)
Summary
Residents of a building in Minsk, Belarus found refuge in their courtyard, where they were able to create a community without fear of being detained by authorities. They painted murals and flew flags off their balconies, determined to keep their spirit of freedom alive.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Diana, a participant in a Belarusian opposition group chat, assigns everyone a number to ensure anonymity and safety.
51:48 - 58:01 (06:13)
Summary
Diana, a participant in a Belarusian opposition group chat, assigns everyone a number to ensure anonymity and safety. However, when someone doesn't respond with their assigned number, suspicion arises and people start getting removed from the chat, leading to tensions and accusations of betrayal.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
A Belarusian activist named Roma was sent to the hospital after feeling sick, but his death was labeled as a result of a fight by the authorities.
58:01 - 1:01:35 (03:33)
Summary
A Belarusian activist named Roma was sent to the hospital after feeling sick, but his death was labeled as a result of a fight by the authorities. Roma's close friend tried to locate him in the hospital, but received conflicting information and was ultimately denied access to his body.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Residents of a square in China were subjected to police brutality during pandemic lockdowns as officers patrolled the area, checking identifications and detaining and assaulting individuals.
1:01:35 - 1:07:24 (05:49)
Summary
Residents of a square in China were subjected to police brutality during pandemic lockdowns as officers patrolled the area, checking identifications and detaining and assaulting individuals. In response, some residents filmed the police and opened their buildings to people who needed shelter.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Participants in a heist changed into matching white hazmat suits and wore gloves to hide their fingerprints before stealing supplies and walking around the neighborhood to avoid detection.
1:07:24 - 1:12:17 (04:52)
Summary
Participants in a heist changed into matching white hazmat suits and wore gloves to hide their fingerprints before stealing supplies and walking around the neighborhood to avoid detection.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Authorities in Belarus have detained several individuals including a former editor and a woman for wearing track pants with white, red, white stripes, a symbol of opposition.
1:12:17 - 1:20:41 (08:23)
Summary
Authorities in Belarus have detained several individuals including a former editor and a woman for wearing track pants with white, red, white stripes, a symbol of opposition. A 75-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman were also fined and arrested for posting and carrying items with the unauthorized symbol.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Belarusian authorities conducted a series of searches in major organizations, including those working with seniors and the disabled.
1:20:41 - 1:26:43 (06:02)
Summary
Belarusian authorities conducted a series of searches in major organizations, including those working with seniors and the disabled. One presidential candidate was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a closed trial.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
A conversation with two DJs, Diana and Vasily, who helped people flee Belarus during the post-election crackdown.
1:26:43 - 1:33:06 (06:22)
Summary
A conversation with two DJs, Diana and Vasily, who helped people flee Belarus during the post-election crackdown. They estimate they have helped hundreds of "relocants" cross legally and illegally to escape persecution.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
The Belarusian Cyber Partisans aim to disrupt regime communications and leak security service members' information.
1:33:06 - 1:42:45 (09:39)
Summary
The Belarusian Cyber Partisans aim to disrupt regime communications and leak security service members' information. Meanwhile, BIPOL works to encourage more defectors, investigate claims of police abuses, and release their findings.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
Citizens of Belarus take to protesting against proposed amendments to the constitutional referendum, including changes in commitment to being neutral and free of nuclear weapons, and a potential to host Russia's nuclear arsenal.
1:42:45 - 1:49:01 (06:16)
Summary
Citizens of Belarus take to protesting against proposed amendments to the constitutional referendum, including changes in commitment to being neutral and free of nuclear weapons, and a potential to host Russia's nuclear arsenal.
EpisodeThe Sunday Read: ‘The Battle for the Mural — and the Future of Belarus’
PodcastThe Daily
The peaceful protest movement in Belarus has adopted powerful symbols, such as the "no war" sign, to represent their fight against the Putin-backed regime and what their new nation represents.
1:49:01 - 1:52:39 (03:37)
Summary
The peaceful protest movement in Belarus has adopted powerful symbols, such as the "no war" sign, to represent their fight against the Putin-backed regime and what their new nation represents.