Bialiatski: Honar, LSTR Adzenne, and Ragna Closed — Russification Continues
In July 2026, three well-known Belarusian clothing and ethno-goods brands almost simultaneously announced the cessation of their operations. Officially, the project teams did not comment on the reasons for the closure, but human rights defenders and independent media link this to the ongoing pressure on Belarusian culture and businesses related to national identity, writes "Viasna".
On July 10, 2026, the modern Belarusian clothing store Honar wrote on its social media that it would cease operations from July 20.
Two days later, information about the closure of LSTR appeared. Its creators announced this on Instagram. Just two weeks ago, LSTR presented a new print for Kupalle.
At the same time, the ethno-store Ragna, which had operated in Minsk on Sukhaya Street for 13 years, closed its physical location. It was the first such venue in the country.
Moreover, Viasna human rights defenders learned that the owner of one of the stores was detained by security forces for questioning regarding his social media and contacts. He was released after being ordered to close the business.
"The Regime Shows Its Lack of Independence"
Ales Bialiatski, Chairman of the Viasna Human Rights Center and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, called this "another step in the Russification of Belarus."
"These are sad and alarming reports that show that the assault on Belarusian culture continues in all its manifestations. This time, it's the turn of national clothing and symbolism. At the same time, Belarusian bookstores and publishers continue to be destroyed, Belarusian books are constantly being added to extremist lists — they are effectively banned in Belarus. Now it has come to clothing and applied arts.
This is another step towards the Russification of Belarus, carried out by the hands of the Belarusian authorities. Of course, this is a program of destroying everything Belarusian, which has been going on for more than 200 years. This is how the regime shows its lack of independence and complete dependence on imperial narratives, both in the field of applied arts and everything related to the visualization of Belarusian culture.
Under such circumstances, it is necessary to resist this and defend what is ours through all possible forms."
What the Closed Stores LSTR Adzieńnie, Honar, and Ragna Did
The stores LSTR Adzieńnie, Honar, and Ragna became iconic projects for the Belarusian cultural space because they developed national traditions through modern clothing.
LSTR and Honar created stylish branded clothing with Belarusian motifs, while Ragna operated as an ethno-platform and souvenir shop where folk craftsmen sold their products.
Their almost simultaneous closure became another example of squeezing independent Belarusian business and the national component out of the public space.
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