The opus magnum of Belarusian writer Alhierd Bacharevič — the novel “Dogs of Europe” (Psy Europy) — has been published by Krakow-based Wydawnictwo Literackie, one of Poland’s most prestigious publishers. The work, translated into Polish by Joanna Bernatowicz, will be available in Poland from Sept. 9, while an official presentation of the edition will take place in Warsaw on Sept. 15.
“For me, this is a great joy and honor,” Alhierd Bacharevič wrote on his social media, adding that the world of “Dogs” now exists in Belarusian, German, Russian and Polish. Work is also underway on Norwegian and Danish translations of the novel.
The visual concept for the book was created by the same team that worked on its German edition.
“Dogs of Europe” combines the conventions of crime fiction, fairy tale, realist novel, dystopia and parable. Bacharevič employs distinctive humor, paradox and an ability to portray ordinary people. The starting point is the creation of Balbuta, an artificial language that serves as a form of freedom on paper, because there is no real freedom,” the publisher’s description of the work says.
The description also mentions the novel’s “extremist” status and the forced exile of the Belarusian writer:
“At the end of 2020, after taking part in mass protests and publishing an essay on Belarusian fascism, Alhierd Bacharevič emigrated from the country, lived in Austria and Switzerland, and then settled in Berlin. In 2022, Bacharevič’s books were declared ‘extremist’ and banned in Belarus, while the print run of ‘Dogs of Europe’ was destroyed. However, the writer’s opus magnum had already achieved cult novel status.”
Wydawnictwo Literackie also recalls the book’s awards, in particular the Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding in 2025, and quotes reviews of the work in major international media.
The Guardian described the novel as follows: “A dystopian political thriller, one of the most important works ever published in Belarus.”
The publication of “Dogs of Europe” by Krakow-based Wydawnictwo Literackie, which has existed since 1953, marks the Belarusian author’s entry into the highest ranks of European publishing. The publisher, which has one of the richest histories in Poland, publishes works by Nobel laureates including Czesław Miłosz, Wisława Szymborska and Olga Tokarczuk, as well as international classics such as Stanisław Lem and Witold Gombrowicz.
The edition can already be ordered here.