Lithuania Speaks Out About Official Renaming Of Belarus

“It is not linguists or politicians who decide, but society.”

In Lithuania, the official name of Belarus may be changed to Baltarusia instead of the current Baltarusija, but this requires coordination with the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and public consensus. This opinion was expressed by Chairperson of the State Commission on the Lithuanian Language Violeta Meiliunaitė, writes LRT.

A discussion about the possible renaming of Russia was held at the Vilnius Book Fair: instead of the current Lithuanian name Rusija, the option Rosija is proposed.

Thus, Professor of the History Department of Vilnius University Alfredas Bumblauskas noted that modern Russia cannot be allowed to usurp the name “Rus”, including because it is associated with Belarusian lands. He said that historically the term “Russians” did not refer exclusively to the population of modern Russia, and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which included the territories of modern Belarus, was home to Rusyns — the ancestors of modern Belarusians and Ukrainians.

The scientist cited the example of the 1517 edition of the Prague Bible by Francysk Skaryna, which the first printer called the “Russian Bible” (in Lithuanian - Biblija Rus'ka).

The Chairperson of the State Commission on the Lithuanian Language Violeta Meiliunaitė also expresses her opinion on the possible renaming of Belarus. In Lithuania, the official term is Baltrarusija, but some suggest changing it to Baltarusia. According to her, this is impossible without the approval of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We can discuss any options, but we will not decide anything, because the renaming of states does not happen without the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In our circle, we can come up with any names <…>. And who knows, maybe one of them will eventually become official,” Meiliunaitė said.

She added that the State Commission on the Lithuanian Language supports the use of such a traditional Lithuanian name for Belarus as Gudija (as well as Karaliaučius for Russian Kaliningrad, former Königsberg, Tilžė for Sovetsk, former Tilsit).

“But the question is different — do we use them? We approved it, agreed, but in reality we do not do it,” Meiliunaitė emphasized.

The expert also gave the example of Georgia, for which there are two official names in the Lithuanian language: Georgia itself and Sakartvelo (the self-designation of this country).

“It is not linguists or politicians who decide, but society. That is why both options exist, so that people themselves can choose which name best suits the essence,” she explained.

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