History and Perspectives of Intercultural Dialog Between Poland and Belarus. Based on Biographies of Prominent Personalities

The aim of this article is to draw attention to the constant relevance of intercultural dialogue as the way to go beyond stereotypes and ignorance between nations and as a key factor in preventing conflicts and developing intercultural communication skills. A special emphasis is put on the mutual awareness of the historical and cultural heritage and the great input made to it by the outstanding personalities living in the Rzeczpospolita I, the interwar and post-war periods. The text briefly describes the biographies of Kościuszko, Ogiński, Skirmunt and Niemen as characters belonging to two cultures. The literature on the subject was selected in a way to emphasize the intercultural nature of the above-mentioned personalities. The article also names the scientists, writers, political activists who are currently working on maintaining a dialogue between Poland and Belarus. The present state of cultural exchange between the two countries is briefly described in the text, the existing difficulties are defined and the attitudes aimed at preventing the mutual alienation of the two neighboring countries in the next generations are designated. In conclusion it is stated that Polish-Belarusian dialogue, considered from the perspective of mutual cultural heritage, has the potential for further development, under the condition of mutual appreciation of the cultural background of the past and the memories of it preserved by the nations.