A criminal inquiry has been launched against the “Kalyadnaya Krama” shop on Kaltsova Street in Minsk, which recently began selling a series of Christmas ornaments featuring portraits of Belarusian writers and cultural figures.
The information became known from a letter issued by the administration of the Savetski District of Minsk, published by informant Volha Bondarava. The inquiry is being conducted under criminal procedure regulations. The shop has been closed and sealed.
The Conflict Emerged Around Larysa Heniyush
“Kalyadnaya Krama” began selling a series of Christmas ornaments featuring Belarusian writers and enlighteners, including Vasil Bykau, Francysk Skaryna, Janka Kupala, Maksim Bahdanovich, Uladzimir Karatkevich and others. However, the issue arose around the figure of poet Larysa Heniyush, who became the target of propagandists.
Ksenija Lebiadzewa, Ryhor Azaronak and Volha Bondarava publicly attacked the ornament featuring the writer’s portrait.
As a result, the New Year ornament with Heniyush’s image was removed from sale, and the shop announced a temporary break in its work.
Later, thanks to Bondarava’s publications, it became known that a formal inquiry had been launched against “Kalyadnaya Krama”.
Official Confirmation of the Inquiry
According to an official response received by Bondarava from the administration of the Savetski District of Minsk, signed by district head Aliaksandr Shchakovich, Minsk City Executive Committee received electronic submissions alleging that employees of “Kalyadnaya Krama” were distributing “materials that rehabilitate Nazism” by selling ornaments featuring Heniyush’s portrait.
The letter states that the police are now conducting an inquiry within the framework of criminal procedure legislation and will provide a legal assessment of the situation.
It is also stated that the shop allegedly had violations of the Council of Ministers’ regulations, which were corrected as of 21 November.
According to the official, items related to the sale of ornaments with Larysa Heniyush’s image have been removed from the shop’s website.
Nevertheless, the shop remains closed: it is still listed as “temporarily closed” on its Instagram stories.
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