On May 28, an awards ceremony for the winners of the 66th edition of the “Najpiękniejsze Polskie Książki 2025” (The Most Beautiful Polish Books 2025) competition took place at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw during the International Book Fair. The book “Ruins of Belarus” received an Honourable Mention (Wyróżnienie) in the Art category. The publication was created by the team of the independent VEHA archive.
The competition, organised annually by the Polish Book Publishers Society (PTWK), is one of the oldest and most respected expert platforms in the region. It evaluates not only content but the book as a complete artistic object, including its layout, graphic design, archival work and printing quality.
Professional Recognition and the Project’s Creators
“Ruins of Belarus” is the result of a large-scale collaboration between Belarusian researchers and European designers. The book was created and curated by Lesia Pčolka, Asia Khmyz and Uladzimir Hramovič of the VEHA archive. The visual concept and complex graphic design were developed by designers Karolina Pietrzyk and Tobias Wenig in cooperation with the archive team.
The publication was made possible through a partnership between the Belarusian Culture Centre in Białystok and the Arsenał Gallery of Contemporary Art in Białystok, which served as publishers of the project. Language barriers were overcome with the help of the Mova – język bez barier association, which provided translations, while the book’s production quality was ensured by the printing company Moś i Łuczak in Poznań.
What Is the Book About and What Makes It Unique?
“Ruins of Belarus” is a 256-page visual and historical study covering all six regions of Belarus. The book is built on a combination of archival materials and scholarly texts. The project’s regional consultants and co-authors included prominent Belarusian historians and researchers: Kastuś Shytal (Vitsyebsk Region), Yauhen Malikau (Homiel Region), Stsiapan Stureika (Hrodna Region) and Ales David Lisouski (Mahiliou Region).
The VEHA team succeeded in bringing together under one cover photographs of destroyed architectural monuments, including castles, town halls, estates, synagogues, Orthodox churches and Catholic churches, from 45 private family and public archives. Many of these buildings were completely erased during wars or through Soviet destruction of cultural heritage. As a result, the book preserves images of places that no longer physically exist.
Another distinctive feature is its trilingual format. All content, including historical essays by Uladzimir Hramovič and architectural descriptions by Asia Khmyz, is presented in Belarusian, Polish and English, making the publication accessible to an international audience.
Reviews and Broader Context
Polish reviewers and cultural commentators note that “Ruins of Belarus” is far more than a nostalgic photo album. The book has been described as “a profound exploration of the philosophy and connotations of destruction”.
In their reviews, experts particularly highlight what they describe as the “call of the ruins” and the human dimension of history. Critics point to the book’s successful portrayal of human presence alongside destroyed sites. Through the lens of historical photographs, the researchers reveal a range of motivations, from attempts by local residents in the last century to connect with a noble past to the pragmatic or even dismissive attitudes of occupying soldiers during wartime. Destruction is presented as a complex transformation and one of the tragic characteristics of the Belarusian landscape and culture.
Where Can the Book Be Purchased?
According to the Belarusian Culture Centre in Białystok, the book can be purchased in several ways. It can be ordered directly from the publishers, the Belarusian Culture Centre or the Arsenał Gallery. Those currently in Warsaw also have an opportunity to buy a physical copy. A limited number of copies remain available at the International Book Fair (PGE Narodowy) at the Free Belarus Salon (stand 11/D5). The book is also available through the Kamunikat online store.
What Comes Next?
The PTWK award opens new opportunities for the Belarusian project. Under the competition’s rules, the winning books will represent the art of book design at major international fairs in Frankfurt and Leipzig, including participation in the global “Best Book Design from all over the World” competition.
