Belarus in autoethnographic narratives : the art of mercy against oblivion / Victor Martinovich.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Martsinovich, Viktar, 1977- Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Painting--Psychological aspects.

Painting.

Martsinovich, Viktar, 1977---Family.

Martsinovich, Viktar.

Martsinovich, Viktar, 1977-.

Belarus--Biography.

Belarus.

Belarus--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

viii, 206 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Other Title:

Art of mercy against oblivion

Place of Publication:

Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2026.

Summary:

"This book offers an autoethnographic exploration of the interplay of art, memory, and resilience in Eastern Europe, weaving together the personal and collective histories of Belarusians - those who survived two world wars and their contemporaries, who are now looking for a way out of a political crisis in the region. Set against the history of Belarus, it recounts the story of the author's great-grandfather Amyalyan, a Belarusian peasant executed by the Nazis after saving a Jewish man during World War I, along with reflections on artists like Chaim Soutine and Marc Chagall, whose journeys reflect the region's cultural endurance. Combining autoethnography and art history, this book presents art as a medium of empathy, challenging readers to engage with paintings emotionally rather than through a purely analytical lens. Each chapter functions as both a historical reflection and an invitation to see art as a means of reclaiming personal narratives, making historical traumas accessible and relatable. Themes of compassion, forgiveness, and the humanizing power of art emerge as essential elements, guiding readers through the complex intersections of personal and collective memory. This book is a valuable addition for researchers and students interested in ethnography and autoethnography, Eastern European studies, art history, cultural studies and memory studies"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Weapon

The Photograph

A Batman, my Great-Grandfather

Occupation

Terror

Education of Amyalyan

Denunciation

Try not to Repeat the Denial of Peter

Love of Amyalyan

Happiness

The Crown of Thorns

Women's Crusade

Death

Searching for the Language

Bathing in Lethe River

Rage

Clementia.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version Martsinovich, Viktar, 1977- Belarus in autoethnographic narratives

ISBN:

9781041072331

1041072333

9781041073550

1041073550

OCLC:

1528595139

Publisher Number:

90102767481