Frankfurt approves Vasiliy Bykov's commemorative plaque

Memorial Plaque for Outstanding Writer Bykov to be Installed in Frankfurt am Main

A memorial plaque for the acclaimed Belarusian writer, Yuri Bykov, is set to be installed in Bockenheimer Anlage Park, Frankfurt am Main. The initiative, led by Mikhail Rubin, Tatyana Trofimova, and deputy Stefan Korte from the Free Democratic Party of Germany, has successfully secured the approval for the installation from the district council.

Bykov, a prominent critic of the Lukashenko regime, was forced to leave his homeland in 1998 due to his critique. He found refuge in Frankfurt am Main as part of the "City of Refuge" initiative, residing there in 2001 and 2002.

The memorial plaque will be a testament to Bykov's life and work, which have had a significant impact on literature and human rights discourse. Yekaterina Gukova and Alyaksandr Maisyeyka presented Bykov's life and work to Frankfurt's deputies, emphasising his outstanding contribution to literature.

Meanwhile, in Belarus, maternity wards are closing across the country, with pregnant women being transported from Khoiniki to Rechitsa, and from Vileyka to Molodechno. This situation has raised concerns about the wellbeing and safety of expectant mothers and newborns.

In a separate development, political prisoner Maksim Znak has turned 44 years old while spending two and a half years in isolation. His case, along with the plight of three Kurds who have recently returned home after spending eight months in Belarusian prisons, highlights the ongoing human rights issues in the country.

Razam, an organisation supporting Bykov's work, has expressed gratitude to the deputies who made the memorial plaque realization possible. The installation of the memorial plaque in Bockenheimer Anlage Park, near the house where Bykov lived, is a significant step towards honouring his legacy and continuing his fight for justice and freedom of speech.