Residency Prize Exhibition

Residency Prize 2025

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Pasha Kritchko (b. 1987) is a former civil engineer and commercial photographer from Belarus who turned to photojournalism during the 2020 presidential election and mass protests, using his camera to document state violence and human rights abuses following the rigged vote.

His current work focuses on the ongoing Belarusian crisis sparked in 2020, including the stories of Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine and the struggles of refugees forced to flee the country. Through his photography, Pasha aims to shed light on these issues and highlight the challenges Belarusians face both at home and in exile.

In Belarus, the regime considers truth its enemy, seeking to erase evidence of repression and the memories of national unity. By the end of 2024, 45 journalists and bloggers had been jailed on political charges, and independent media had been all but destroyed. I switched to photojournalism in 2020, documenting the presidential elections and their aftermath. Like many Belarusians, I was driven by a sense of urgency and responsibility to capture the truth of what was happening in my country. My photographs eventually forced me to flee, knowing the consequences of staying.
More than 35,000 people were detained during the protests. They endured beatings, humiliation, and torture in overcrowded detention centers. As of the end of 2024, 1,265 political prisoners remained behind bars, including opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.
More than 400,000 Belarusians have fled since 2020, seeking refuge in Poland, Lithuania, and beyond. For many, exile means starting over and rebuilding their lives while maintaining some connection to their homeland. However, the regime’s reach extends beyond Belarus, pressuring exiles and their families back home. In some cases, exiles have even been deported from countries still aligned with the Belarusian regime, complicating their escape and their ongoing fight for freedom. While some use exile as a platform for resistance—organizing protests, speaking out for political prisoners, or supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression—many others have turned away from politics.
For those who were politically active in 2020 and remain in Belarus, daily life is marked by fear and isolation. Even the smallest signs of defiance—whether displaying banned flags, speaking Belarusian, or wearing certain colors—are met with punishment. The ongoing repression has forced many to adopt a survival strategy of indifference, trying to maintain normalcy in a society where resistance feels futile.
The 2025 presidential election appeared to be another farce, with no hope for change, and many fear further repression. Memories of another Belarus linger, and the exiles remain determined to preserve their culture, history, and hopes for a future in which freedom and unity can flourish again. The Belarusian struggle is not limited to borders; it is part of a broader fight for democracy and human rights in a world increasingly challenged by authoritarianism.

 
Riot police disperse a protest against Lukashenko on the day of the secret inauguration on September 23, 2020, in Minsk. Riot police in Belarus are known for their brutal tactics, frequently using excessive force to disperse anti-government protests. On this day, water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets were employed to suppress demonstrators. Thousands of protesters were detained throughout the country following the 2020 presidential election, which was widely criticized as fraudulent. Human rights organizations documented numerous cases of police violence, including beatings and torture of detainees in facilities such as the Okrestina detention center.
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Opening of the Residency Award Exhibition: August 30, 7 p.m.