Weekly Column from Moscow: Let us talk about my Russianness

A day of a Belarusian does not start with coffee while reading the Bible. But with an anxious thought: will they come for me today or not? Do I hear loud steps behind my doors, or is everything quiet?

It was the first time this friend of mine visited me in Krakow. I told him, I would take him to Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter. It was on a Saturday. My friend asked me why bother going there if everything would be closed on the Jewish holy day. I was confused for a minute and then suddenly connected the dots saying: No, my friend! It is indeed called a “Jewish quarter” but not because Jews live there today. It is called so because of the history of that part of the city!

Voices shouted in the dark. The team of half a dozen young men, prime in their teenage strength, was making its way through an entangled web of ropes. This was only the beginning of their obstacle course, but their leader, Mirko, was already under attack.