Franak Viačorka

Francišak Valancinavič (Franak) Viačorka (Viachorka) (Belarusian: Франці́шак Валянці́навіч Вячо́рка, Russian: Франтишек Валентинович Вечёрко, Frantishek Valentinovich Vecherko, born 26 March 1988) is a journalist from Belarus, Vice President of the Digital Communication Network and consultant for U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Franak Viačorka
Франак Вячорка
Vaclav Havel Fellow at RFE/RL, Praha
Born (1988-03-26) 26 March 1988
Minsk, Byelorussian SSR
Alma materAmerican University (M.A.), Warsaw University (B.A.)
OccupationEditor at RFE/RL

Educational and work experience

Franak studied at the Belarusian Lyceum for Humanities (since 2003 existing in underground), Journalism Department of Belarusian State University (from which he was expelled for political activities),[1] the European Humanitarian University (exiled in Vilnius). 2010-2012--Warsaw University, PR and Media Marketing. In 2016 Franak received Civil Society Leadership Award by Open Society Foundations for pursuing master's degree at American University.

Since 2008, Franak has worked with an independent satellite TV for Belarus Belsat TV as a PR manager,[2] and is now presenting on the station with RFE/RL's Belarus Service on its popular news and analysis show. He has worked as a journalist and editor for several independent publications in Belarus:[3] Belarusian informational agency "BelaPAN", Monthly political newspaper «Naviny BNF» ("BPF News"), Belarusian Service of RFE/RL, Youth informational web-portal Uff-by.org. Franak has a video blog on a Polish Radio web-portal[4]

Current status

Franak Viačorka is a Creative Director at RFE/RL's Belarus service[5] He is the Vice President of the Digital Communication Network and concurrently works as the consultant for U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Recently he researched Kremlin-backed Media, think-tanks, NGOs abroad, and the role of the Russian Orthodox church. He has served as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Defense, Freedom House, and the Broadcasting Board of Governors. He also coordinated the project on mapping digital influencers, conducted by Digital Communication Network. Franak is a frequent speaker and an advocate for democracy and personal freedom.

Public activities

He is the son of prominent opposition politician Vincuk Viačorka.[6] Since his youth, Franak has been involved in the opposition movement to current Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. Franak was member of Young Front, a founder and formerly chairman of the BPF Youth (2008-2009), the youth wing of the Belarusian Popular Front, succeeded on October 10, 2009 by Andrej Krečka. Organizer of many demonstrations, political campaigns and flash-mobs.[7][8]

Franak Viačorka during Local Elections 2010

Member of the Board (2007-2009), National Council (2007-2009) of BPF Party. Chairman of a Commission on Culture (2007-2009)[9] of BPF Party. Member of Belarusian Language Society.

Took part in Electoral campaigns in headquarters (2000, 2001, 2004, 2008). In 2010 - as a candidate in local elections to Mazyr City Council, but elections were falsified. Administrator of a Unified oppositional candidate Alaksandar Milinkievič website (2005-2006), United Democratic Forces of Belarus (2007-2009).

Since January 2011 was elected an International Secretary for a Popular-Democratic Party "Belarusian Movement".

The editor in chief of the European travel book "Wanderer's Guide for Belarusians"[10]

Co-coordinator of the Civil journalism project "Narodny Żurnalist".[11]

One of the founders and managers of Art-Siadziba - public open space for independent events in Minsk

Director and producer of musical project "Partyzanaskaja Škoła" (Partisan School), musical compact discs "Ja lublu licej" (I Love Lyceum), "Vieru u Ciabie" (Trust you),[12] "Partyzanaskaja Škoła" (Partisan School), "Pieśni Lisoŭčykaŭ" (Songs of Lisouchyks), "Janka Kupala - 125", "be-x-old:Незалежныя". Producer of "Audiobooks in Belarusian" project.

Producer and Manager of "Cinema Dubbing into Belarusian" project. There dubbed Pulp Fiction, Shrek 2, En Liten Julsaga, Love Actually, V for Vendetta.[13]

Repressions

On February 18, 2008, Franak was expelled from his third year of journalism at the Belarusian State University, in spite of his excellent academic performance, for missing two exams.[1][14] The fact that he was being detained by the police was not accepted as a legitimate excuse by the university authorities. A subsequent attempt to enroll in the exiled European Humanities University, a private Belarusian university operating in neighbouring Lithuania due to Lukashenko's restrictions, failed as Mr. Viačorka's name is currently on a list of persons banned from travelling outside Belarus.[15]

Franak Viačorka was drafted into the army in spite of his state of health"

It has been reported that on 16 January 2009, Franak was forcibly conscripted into the Armed Forces of Belarus by the authorities,[16] despite having been found medically unfit. Several other youth activists, such as Ivan Šyła, were also drafted.[17] As of February 2009, he was stationed in the air defence unit 48694 in Mozyr, Homiel Voblast. In the course of his training, it is alleged that he has been subjected to harassment by senior military figures in order to make him speak Russian rather than Belarusian, although both are legal for use in the military.[18] As a soldier, Franak fought for soldiers’ rights and the rights of local residents. On April 14, 2010 Viačorka was released from army because of health problems. During his military service Franak participated as a candidate in local elections to Mazyr City Council.[19]

During Military service Franak Viačorka was writing "Blog of Belarusian Soldier", which became very popular in Internet.[20]

Franak has been arrested and imprisoned several times for his activities. (Last time - in January, 2011).[21][22]

After being dismissed from the military, Franak was refused admission to Belarusian State University[23] to which he applied eight times.[24] He was also refused admission to all other public universities in Belarus, violating the law which provides guaranteed admission to dismissed soldiers. Franak is currently pursuing a degree in media and public relations at the University of Warsaw.

Cinema

In 2006 starred in the award-winning documentary titled "A Lesson of Belarusian"[25] that chronicled Franak's life as a pro-democracy youth activist in the run-up to the 2006 presidential elections in Belarus.[26] Franak's work with his fellow activists was followed for two weeks. His father Vincuk Viačorka was also featured, as was Uładzimier Kołas, principal of the Belarusian Humanities Lyceum and a prominent academic.

Franak is the co-screenwriter and second director of a fiction movie being produced by the Documentary and Feature Film Production Company of Poland about his time in the Belarusian Army and the situation for other young conscripts.[27] Directed by Krzysztof Łukaszewicz. The film, "Viva Belarus!" was released in Spring 2013.[28]

Franak also played in Tutejszyja movie.[29][30] This movie was forbidden in Belarus.[31]

Awards and prizes
  • Civil Society Leadership Award, 2016: by Open Society Foundations (OSF)
  • «Person of the Year», 2014: Nasha Niva: «For the efforts to promote Belarus national identity»
  • «30 under 30», 2013: National Endowment for Democracy. Featured among «promising young leaders, all age 30 or younger, who are working for a democratic future in 24 countries».
  • The Best Screenplay, 2013: €2000, Brussels Film Festival, for the movie «Viva Belarus!»
  • Vaclav Havel Fellowship, 2012: by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Prague, Czech Republic. Personally referenced by Vaclav Havel.
  • Literary Prize «Golden apostrophe», «Debut in Prose», 2010. Minsk, Belarus.
  • The National Human Rights Award “For Personal Courage”, 2009. Minsk, Belarus
  • «New Generation» Prize, 2008— «For Courage and Bravery in the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Belarus”, Chisinau, Moldova,
  • IDFA Bertha Fund Award, 2007, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • «Best actor» at Lviv Film Festival (Ukraine) (2007)

References
  1. Once Expelled – Expelled Forever Archived 2013-03-10 at the Wayback Machine Generation.by
  2. У Менску паказалі фільм «НКВД – Гестапо. Браты па крыві» Archived 2012-05-14 at the Wayback Machine Белсат
  3. Ліцэісты ў вольны час Archived 2004-07-25 at the Wayback Machine Новы Час
  4. Blog Franaka Wiaczorki Polskie Radio
  5. RFE/RL, Czech Republic Announce Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship RFE/RL Newsroom
  6. Франак Вячорка: Назаўтра пасьля 90-х угодкаў БНР ён будзе сьвяткаваць сваё 20-годзьдзе Радыё Свабода
  7. Stand in a line to a police van, clap and laugh! Archived 2012-05-04 at the Wayback Machine Belsat TV
  8. Заява старшыні Вучнёўскага самакіраваньня Нацыянальнага дзяржаўнага гуманітарнага ліцэю імя Якуба Коласа Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Bymedia
  9. Франак Вячорка: Дубляж «Шрэка» важнейшы за 35 затрыманьняў Наша Ніва
  10. Каб «кожная даярка» магла злятаць у Еўропу Naviny.by
  11. Народны Журналіст Archived 2011-09-25 at the Wayback Machine narodny.by
  12. Менскi, Алесь (2004-06-08). ""Веру ў цябе"" (in Belarusian). Творческий Дом. Archived from the original on 2004-11-26. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
  13. Замежныя фільмы па-беларуску? Магчыма! AMP.by
  14. From Political Front Line to Army Drudgery Belarusnews
  15. Franak Viachorka banned from leaving Belarus Archived 2012-07-11 at Archive.today Euroradio
  16. Franak Viachorka Conveyed Forcibly to Military Office Belarusian Association of Journalists
  17. Appeal of the Belarusian Youth Movement of America to support young Belarusian activists BELMOV
  18. Pressurization of Franak Viachorka in the army Spring 96
  19. Франак і ў войску ідзе ў дэпутаты Наша Ніва
  20. Армейскі дзёньнік Франака Вячоркі Archived 2011-11-26 at the Wayback Machine Naviny.by
  21. Activist Franak Viachorka detained Spring 96
  22. ‘Cold, Hunger, Rats’ – Franak Viachorka about Conditions in Akrestsina http://spring96.org/en/news/20528 Jail Spring96
  23. Франаку Вячорке вновь отказано в восстановлении на учебе TUT.by
  24. Франак Вячорка готов бороться в суде за право вновь стать студентом Archived 2012-07-22 at Archive.today Euroradio
  25. Lekcja Białoruskiego Filmpolski
  26. "Урок беларускай мовы" стаў "Лепшым еўрапейскім дакументальным кіно Салідарнасць
  27. Блокбастар "Жыве Беларусь" Наша Ніва
  28. В Польше снимают фильм о Беларуси Eastbook
  29. "Белсат" здымае "Тутэйшых" наша Ніва
  30. Фильм о "Тутэйшых" Янки Купалы сняли за 8 дней Экспресс-Ньюз
  31. Белорусский Минкульт запретил телеспектакль «Тутэйшыя Charter'97
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