Elzbieta Smulkowa: Belarus Can Take European Way

The Poles hope that Belarus will follow Poland and take a European way.

A biographical book by Valery Kalinovsky about professor Elzbieta Smulkowa - a famous scholar in Belarusian studies and a Polish ambassador to Belarus, was presented at the Warsaw University, Radio Racyja reports.

The book mentions that Elzbieta Smulkowa not only excellently speaks Belarusian language, but also genuinely worries about its state. Among other things, it is stated that the Professor in her conversations with Pope John Paul II drew the attention of the Holy Father, that the priests who were appointed to Belarus, should not be engaged in Polonization of the Belarusians:

- When Latin language was abolished in the Catholic liturgy and national languages were introduced, it was absolutely normal for me that the Mass in Belarus was also in the Belarusian language for those who want it. And for the Polish-speaking people living there - in Polish language. But not to associate Catholicism with Polishness only.

Elzbieta Smulkowa was the Polish ambassador to Belarus by 1995. The diplomat recalls with joy the first half of the 90s, when the Belarusian national rebirth began, and makes no secret - the Poles hoped that Belarus would follow Poland on the European way. Elzbieta Smulkowa doesn`t lose hope that this still can happen:

- I am convinced that this can happen, but it requires a lot of work, a lot of time and rational activities.

Elzbieta Smulkowa was the first foreign ambassador to Belarus who spoke Belarusian language.