European Humanities University conferred the title of Doctor Honoris Causa on Ales Ryazanov, renowned Belarusian poet and translator, for his contribution to Belarusian culture and his support for and development of international dialogue.
A. Ryazanov was born on December 5, 1947 in the Brest Region in Belarus. He entered Belarusian State University in 1996 but was expelled for political reasons. After graduating Brest Pedagogical University in 1970 he served as a teacher of Belarusian Language and Literature at Krugelskay Secondary School. In 1972 A. Ryazanov published his first book of poems “Адраджэньне” (Renaissance/Rebirth) and became a member of the Writers Union of Belarus.
He made his debut as a German-speaking author with the book “Wortdichte” in 2003 and later wrote numerous books of poems including the critically acclaimed “Назаўсёды”, “Каардынаты быцьця”, “Шлях-360”. He introduced new genres into the poetry and restored works of authors of ancient Belarusian literature including Kirill Turovskiy, Francysk Skaryna, Vseslav Charodey, Lev Sapega and others, which he gathered in his book “Книга восстановления” (Book of Restoration) in 2005. A. Ryazanov works have been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide. He is the recipient of the prestigious Yanka Kupala award and the Johann Gottfried Herder prize. He received recognition from UNESCO for his participation in the International Literary Contest “Meeting of Two Worlds”.
EHU has previously awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa to Father Alexander Nadson, a notable Belarusian émigré social and religious leader (2008); Stéphane Hessel, French diplomat (2003); famous Polish film director Prof. Krzysztof Zanussi (2001); and Lithuanian President Algirdas Brazauskas (2000), among others.
