In with the East Wind: A Mary Poppins Kind of Life - Belarus: National Institute for the Humanities
National Institute for the Humanities The National Institute for the Humanities in Minsk stands as one of Belarus’s central homes for humanistic inquiry. Housed within the National Academy of Sciences, the institute functions as the country’s primary engine for historical, archaeological, and cultural research. Its scholars trace the long arc of Belarusian history, excavate ancient settlements before modern construction reshapes the land, and publish the monographs and research collections that anchor the nation’s understanding of itself. From its base on Akademicheskaya Street, the institute convenes conferences, advises state bodies on cultural preservation, and maintains the archives that hold the country’s collective memory. In practice, it serves as both a guardian of the past and a guide for how Belarus interprets its heritage in the present—quietly shaping the stories a nation tells about itself. In the 1990s, right after raspad , all the departments were focused on re...