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Where to find Belarus People in Canada? Belarusian Diaspora explained.

Belarus People in Canada: a guide to life, work, art, and fun in the Belarusian Diaspora in Canada for Belarusians and our friends. Belarusian organizations, local communities, influencers, artists, and musicians.

While born and raised in Belarus, we have now lived in Canada since 2007. As Belarusian Canadians, we keep close ties with our friends from “back home”. In recent years, mostly due to the mutual pain experienced in wake of the Summer of 2020 political crisis in Belarus, we started to play a more active role with Belarusian Diaspora in Canada.

This post will tell our readers all about the wonderful local Belarusian organizations, clubs, and cultural and religious events that are happening here in our Canadian backyard. As well, we’ll provide contact info to the Belarusian Diaspora groups and local communities on social media and the internet. So next time you travel across Canada, you can meet the Belarusian influencers and artists, check out an ethnic choir performance, or engage in all-night dancing during Kupalle celebrations.

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This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. All product recommendations and feedback are ours and based on personal experience. All income received from placing ads on this post will be DONATED TO iHelpBelarus.org. Please refer to our Disclosure Policy. 

Quick Links:

• Belarus Embassy & Consulate Services
• Belarusian Organizations
• Belarusian Local Groups and Communities
• Belarusian Artists and Musicians
• Belarusian Influencers

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Recent Wave of Belarusian Immigration to Canada

Yet before we go into the discussion about what Belarusian Diaspora does in Canada, let’s start with the most recent events in Belarus that have literally shaken every single one of us Belarusians abroad. 

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Belarus Political Crisis 2020-2021

On August 9, 2020, Belarus held its most recent presidential elections where Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya won the majority vote. Yet, the old dictator Alexander Lukashenko refused to leave and published fraudulent results claiming victory. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered for peaceful protests across the country, to which Lukashenko (supported by Russia’s dictator Putin) answered with an unprecedented wave of violence and repressions.

In 2022, this regime’s tight rule and violent suppression of any and all opposition voices are still ongoing. As of the time of this writing –  April 12, 2022 – at least 1117 Belarusians were recognized as political prisoners according to the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”. Overall 50,000+ people were arrested for participation in peaceful protests. 

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Canada had joined hands with the United States, The UK, The European Union, and the World in recognizing Sviatlana Tsikanouskaya as a Democratic Leader of the People of Belarus and introducing sanctions against the Lukashenko Regime. Over the past few years, the Canadian government had made a few important steps toward supporting the Belarusian freedom and pro-democracy movement. 

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Belarusian Immigration

It is estimated that in the first year following the political crisis over one million Belarussian citizens had to flee the country for fear of prosecution, many traveling as far as New Zealand. That’s a whopping 10% of the entire country’s population, which before 2020 was approximately 9.5 million people.

Currently, the World’s Belarusian Diaspora of recent immigrants and first and second generations of descendants from Belarus is estimated at roughly 2.5 million. 

The majority has of course settled all across Europe. Belarusian Diaspora that ended up in the United States as of 2022 is roughly estimated at over 150,000+. Many Belarusians traveled to Canada in search of safety and a brighter future.

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Belarusian Diaspora in Canada Today

The latest official Canadian data of the 2016 census places the number of residents who reported Belarusian ancestry at a bit over 20,000. However, after the summer of 2022, some say the number of Belarusians now calling Canada their home has doubled. 

While Canada had expressed a very favorable attitude towards Belarusian refugees fleeing the horrors of 2020-2021, much work is still required. Belarusian Diaspora in Canada, for example, is pushing for Canada to treat Belarusians trying to escape prosecution similarly to those refugees traveling from Hong Kong. In 2022, refugees from Hong Kong are getting simplified procedures for getting their Permanent Residentship in Canada.  

Interestingly, Canada actually served as the home base to the “resistance” for over a century. The Rada of the Belarusan Democratic Republic in Exile (the Rada BNR) is the oldest existing governmental institute of Belarus and the Belarusan government in exile [even today in 2022].

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IMPORTANT TO KNOW

Many Canadians are quite confused when on any official political map they see the Red-and-Green flag. But anywhere you go in Canada, Belarusians are represented by White-Red-White. How come?!! 

White-Red-White symbolism explained

Yes indeed, the official flag of the country is red-and-green. Yet you’ll be surprised – over 80% of the people do not want anything to do with it and are even slightly associated with it. As to Belarusian Canadians – I’d say 99% of the Belarusian Diaspora are white-red-white coloured. 

The thing is – the White-Red-White flag is the symbol of Belarus’ movement toward democracy and freedom from time immemorial. According to historical records, the flag was first introduced as the symbol of Belarus in the 14th century by Knyaz Vitovt of the Great Lithuanian Kingdom. Legend says that in one of the battles Vitovt’s injured head was wrapped in a white cloth. He saw his troops' morale weakening, unwrapped the blood-stained cloth using it for a banner, rushed into battle led his troops, and brought in the victory. Hence the White-Red-White banner became the symbol of resistance through suffering.

The white-red-white flag was adopted by Belarusian resistance against the USSR's rule, Russia's occupation, and the pro-Russian “Belorussia” Lukashenko regime.

So to sum up: apparently Belarus and Belorussia are two very different places 🙂

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Where to Find Belarusian Canadians?

Everywhere!!!

While the majority of Belarusians reside in Toronto and Montreal, there are local Belarusian community groups in every city large and small.

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Belarus Embassy in Canada

The bad news here. Until September 2021, Belarus had its Embassy located in Ottawa. Yet after the events of August 2020, the country decided to close a number of its Embassy locations, including the Belarus Embassy in Canada and the Belarus Consulate services in New York, USA. 

Hence for any diplomatic questions and consulate matters coming from Canada, Belarusians are now directed to travel to the Belarusian embassy in Washington, United States. 

Belarus Embassy in Washington, US (servicing Canada)

1619 New Hampshire Ave NW

Washington, DC 20009

United States

Website: https://usa.mfa.gov.by/en/

Canadians traveling to Belarus do not require a visa – info as of April 2022. Hence no need to contact the Belarus Embassy if you travel from Canada. Yet, at this time we DO NOT recommend traveling to Belarus, due to safety reasons. Or at the very least, check out our Safety Tips for Belarus Travel in 2022 that could literally save your life. 

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Local Belarusian Organizations

Belarusian Canadian Alliance is likely the most recognized organization of the Belarusian Diaspora in Canada. BCA is a formally registered Canadian nonprofit organization that serves Belarusian communities across Canada and is passionate about enriching Canadian society by promoting Belarusian culture, language, arts, and research. 

Among the most notorious projects of the Belarusian Canadian Alliance are: 

• Belarusian Language school “Krynichka”
• annual “Kupalle” celebration in Canada (each July – midsummer solstice)
• annual “Kalyady” celebration (each December)
• Belarusian Folk Group “Yavarovy Ljudzi”

Locations: Toronto, Ottawa

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iHelpBelarus.org is a registered Canadian nonprofit organization, whose goal is to coordinate the relationship between Belarusians living abroad and various charitable organizations and initiatives that help the victims of violence and repressions and promote freedom and democracy in Belarus.

Locations: Vancouver, Calgary

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BELARUSAN AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX CHURCH Parish of St. Kiryla of Turau is a place of worship for the Christian Orthodox religion. Most of the services are performed in the Belarusian language. The church is a registered CHARITY.

Location: Toronto

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BINiM – Belarusian Institute of Arts and Sciences – is a formally registered nonprofit organization with the mission is to increase, enhance and disseminate scholarly and artistic knowledge about Biełaruś in Canada and abroad.

Location: Ottawa

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RADA BNR – is a political organization – the oldest one in Canada. Rada BNR was the governing body of the Belarusian Democratic Republic created after the Great Russian Revolution in 1918. Yet it lost to the Communists and since 1919, the Rada BNR has been in exile – here in Ottawa Canada – where it has preserved its existence among the Belarusian Diaspora.  As of 2022, the Rada BNR is the oldest existing government in exile.

Location: Ottawa

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”Krynichka” Belarusian Language Weekend School (Toronto) – Belarusian language, history, arts, crafts, dances, and cultural tradition studies for kids aged 7-11yo each Saturday in Toronto. 

Location: Toronto

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Canadian Association of Slavists (CAS), founded in 1954 at the University of Manitoba, is an interdisciplinary gathering of scholars and professionals whose interests focus on the social, economic, and political life of the Slavic peoples, as well as their languages, diverse cultures, and histories.

Location: Winnipeg

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ASK: If you are a Belarusian organization located in Canada, and would like to be listed: please send us a message or leave a comment!

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All income received from placing ads on this post will be DONATED TO iHelpBelarus.org

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Belarusian Canadian Local Community Groups on Social Media

After the horrendous events in Belarus in the Summer of 2020, Belarusian Canadians have started forming local social media groups. Yes indeed, before 2020 there were maybe 3-4 formal groups out there, while now we have a group in every major Canadian city.

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Belarusian local groups and accounts in Canada on Facebook:

• Belarusian Canada (Canada-wide)
• Belarus Toronto (Toronto, Ontario)
• Беларусы в Ottawa & Gatineau (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Беларуская суполка у Канадзе “Спадчына” (Alberta)
• Беларусы в BC, Canada (British Columbia)
• Draniki of Vancouver, BC (British Columbia)
• Беларусы в Edmonton, AB (Alberta)
• Беларусы в Manitoba (Manitoba)
• Беларусы в Монреаль, QC (Montreal, Quebec)
• Згуртаванне Беларусау Манрэаля (Montreal, Quebec)
• Беларусы в Новой Шотландии (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
• Belarusian Saskatchewan (Regina, Saskatchewan)
• Belarusian Canadian Alliance news channle on Facebook (Toronto)

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Belarusian Diaspora in Canada on Telegram:

• BelarusCanada2020: https://t.me/belaruscanada2020 – Belarusian Diaspora in Canada's main news channel
• BelBC: https://t.me/belbc2020 – Belarusians in British Columbia chat

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Belarusian Canadian Artists and Musicians

Javarovy Ludzi is a Belarusian Ethnic choir – the project of the Belarusian Canadian Alliance. They sing traditional ethnic songs in the Belarusian Language. Check out their YouTube page. 

Mila Karavai is a Vancouver-based Belarusian artist, working as a mural artist, painter, and illustrator. Originally from Minsk, Belarus, now in Canada Mila is working on multiple fine arts projects including interior decor, murals, public art, painting, and illustration, participating in various art exhibitions, and creating commissioned art pieces. Since 2015 Mila is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

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Dmitri Roslik is a Toronto-based Belarusian artist. Born and raised in USSR’s Belarus, he moved to Canada in 2013.  Dmitry’s works fall in the field of figurative art. A number of Dmitry’s paintings can be found in private collections in Canada, Spain, Germany, Norway, Russia, and Belarus. Dmitri is an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. In addition, Dmitry writes poetry and essays: he considers his literary work an integral part of his creative expression. 

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ASK: If you are an artist or a musician of Belarusian descent living in Canada, and would like to be listed: please send us a message or leave a comment!

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All income received from placing ads on this post will be DONATED TO iHelpBelarus.org

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Belarusian Canadian Influencers 

Alena Liavonchanka is the President of the Belarusian Canadian Alliance (Toronto). In 2022 she leads the official Belarusian Diaspora in Canada.

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Ivonka Survilla is the current President of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR), the Belarusian government in exile. After Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya was elected President of Belarus in August 2020, Ivonka's role became somewhat symbolic rather than political. Today with her kind words of wisdom she inspires the new generation of Belarusian leadership. You can fin the latest from Ivonka on RADA BNR's official Telegram channel.

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Iryna and Alex SAZANOVICH (Alberta) – local family of immigrants from Belarus living in Alberta, and posting videos about life in Canada. Everything from the Canadian Real Estate market to Canadian vacations, to tips on road trips in RV, to travel advice on renting a vacation home when traveling to Florida. Check out their YouTube!

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Alexandra @ PerfectDayToPlay.com (British Columbia). Alexandra, Alex, and Cosmos – yours truly – the outdoorsy family of travel bloggers who love to write about eco-friendly family adventures, in love with the beautiful British Columbia. While traveling all across Canada, and around the World, as of 2022 we've been to 15 countries.
Check out our PerfectDayToPlay YouTube, PerfectDayToPlay Instagram, PerfectDayToPlay Twitter, PerfectDayToPlay Facebook and PerfectDayToPlay Pinterest.

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Katerina Bela @ Belafit (Vancouver, BC) is a local Canadian influencer and fitness coach. Back in Belarus Katerina was on the Olympic Sports team, while here in Canada she holds regular fitness classes and helps women look and feel beautiful. Check out Katerina’s Belafit website and Belafit Instagram, and Subscribe to Belafit Youtube.

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Tanya Urban (Vancouver, BC) is a Vancouver realtor and a local community leader. She moved from Belarus to Canada over 20+ years ago and was one of the first to gather Belarussians around her in British Columbia. 

Tanya is the owner and administrator of a number of Belarusian and Russian-speaking Facebook Groups:

• Draniki of Vancouver – a group of Belarusians local to Vancouver
• Ванкувер. Что? Где? Во сколько? – all about Vancouver and its events for Russian-speaking locals
• ЯСемья! Клуб Путешествующих – a group dedicated to local BC traveling families
• Despacito Хайкинг Клуб – hiking club for families, who love to take slow relaxing walks in the nature

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All income received from placing ads on this post will be DONATED TO iHelpBelarus.org

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Anna Digerman (Montreal) Anna is a Belarusian activist and Instagram blogger from Montreal. She is writing about her experiences living in Canada. She had recently traveled to Poland to volunteer at a Ukrainian refugee camp in support of the anti-war effort from the Belarusian Diaspora in Canada. 

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Katia Parfianovich (Montreal) is a Belarusian activist and a social media blogger writing about her immigrant life as a Belarusian Canadian living in Quebec. Check out Katia’s Instagram, Katia’s Telegram, and Katia’s YouTube. 

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Belarus Lives Matter (Alberta) – an activist media account, that is posting news and relevant information about the Belarusian (and recently Belarusian-Ukrainian) events
Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.

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Katy Toronto Mom (Toronto) – former Belarusian music teacher, now a solid Instagram influencer. Sharing her immigration experience, life in Toronto, living a condo with kids.

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Olya Rodyanko (Toronto) – a former Belarusian model, now living in Canada and sharing about life in Canada, sweet recipes, and lifestyle.

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Canada Through My Eyes (Toronto) – Instagram account about life in Canada “from the Belarusian eyes”. Lyudmila is based in Toronto. 

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Vasilki Initiative of Belarusians in Toronto & GTA (Toronto) – a local activist group of Belarusian Canadians of Toronto.

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Sakavik. Культура. Нацыя – is the media publication magazine of the BINiM Institute.

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Victoria Beygin (Toronto) – originally from Belarus, Victoria is an Instagram influencer, business and motivation coach, and Toronto Mom Blogger. 

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Alesya Babich (Minsk, Winnipeg, Toronto) in her Instagram blog now writes about her life in Ontario. 

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ASK: If you are an influencer of the Belarusian heritage living in Canada, and would like to be listed: please send us a message or leave a comment!

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All income received from placing ads on this post will be DONATED TO iHelpBelarus.org

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Concluding notes

Belarus is a beautiful country, rich with history, cultural and artistic traditions, and amazing people. It is unfortunate that in the past century so many people left looking for safer places and a better future for once families. Canada has always been a welcoming home to the Belarusian Diaspora, and we hope it continues to support the democratic values of our people. 

If you know any local Canadian organizations, influencers, artists, or businesses that are owned by someone of the Belarusian heritage, and who are not listed – please message us, or post the info in the comments!

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Oh.. and once the political turmoil in Belarus is over, once Belarus is able to acquire new democratic leadership and opens up for international visitors – there are much to see and many places to travel to in Belarus. So please DO come to check out our home country! We even had put together a Travel Guide for family travel to Belarus as the first step for your travel planning. **Just note that in 2022 traveling to Belarus is not safe.

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Check out next: tips on traveling to Belarus

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Enjoy!

Cheerfully yours,

Alexandra, Alex & Cosmos

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Share your pictures on social media! tag #PerfectDayToPlay to be featured on our Instagram! 

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