Dima Zitzer: I Recommend That Everyone Read Felshtinsky's Book About Natalya Radina
- 15.10.2026, 14:13
This is a special story about Belarus.
Dima Zitzer , a well-known educator, director, writer, and public figure from Israel , shared his impressions after reading a book by American historian Yuri Felshtinsky "Natalia Radina’s Belarus".
In a comment to the website Charter97.org, he explained why he recommends everyone read this book:
— It made a very strong impression on me. First and foremost, because we’re talking about a unique text. After all, it’s a book about the fate of a country, as seen through the fate of an individual, and that’s a bold move, I think. And the fact that the book is so personal—from Natalya’s perspective and that of the people who speak in it—makes it easy to connect with the text right away.
— After reading the book, was there perhaps something in Belarus that particularly piqued your interest?
— I can talk to you about this even without referring to the book; I’ve always had many friends in Belarus. And I still have connections there—mostly, of course, with people who have been living outside Belarus since 2020.
I’m interested in only one question: when will Belarus be independent and free—free from internal dictatorship and from the influence of external dictatorship. Which is, of course, what I wish for Belarusians with all my heart.
I recommend that others read the book *Natalia Radina’s Belarus*. If anyone is thinking, “Here we go again—they’re going to tell me about arrests, torture, and so on,” this book presents things in a completely different light. Because, once again, it’s told through the lens of a specific person—through the story of Natalia, who was arrested in 2010. And from there, the personal narrative blends with the story of the country.
As Vysotsky said: “The entire history of a country is a medical history.” In that sense, I highly recommend this book.
The book *Natalya Radina’s Belarus* can be purchased:
The book in Belarusian—on the “Yanushkevich” publishing house platform “Knihauka” and in Warsaw at the “Knihauka” bookstore at ul. Kłopotowskiego 4, 03-717.
The book in Russian is available on the publisher’s website “ISIA Media” and Amazon.
Book in English — platforms Amazon and Thalia.
The book in Ukrainian — “Oleg Fedorov’s Printing House” and Yakaboo.