50 Hours in Europe's Last Dictatorship

In our quest to understand the world, there are no countries we want to shy away from. We spent quite some time contemplating this one, but eventually felt called to go and go look human stories like we do everywhere else. This is the story of our trip to Belarus.

Thank you to Etienne once again for filming this story with us:

🙏🏼 Thank you for making these videos possible through your support of Seek Discomfort

Thank you to Young Pioneer Tours for their help and advice throughout the entire trip!

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[juliakatsion]

Hey guys, this is Julia from Belarus.

Just watched the video (was crying and laughing all the time!), still cannot believe that this journey was real.

How fascinating life is. You were my inspiration and motivation, I went through some difficult times with you, your videos made me believe that I could do anything in this world. But meeting you on regular rainy day was something I would be thankfull forever (the weather obviously was not giving the vibes that some magic could happen).

There was so much more to this trip: it was right and comfortable (in discomfort), joyful and crazy, real and not real at the same time. Because of the love that you spread I felt so myself during this adventure.

You are real people, the most honest, grateful and kindest humans I've ever met. You really make this world better, you do.

Ohh and Yes family, your comments make my cry, love you all, you're amazing!

P.S №1:
Still processing that I have now 3 brothers. Crazy, what a life!

P.S №2:
Etienne, you are the best!

[mohiljamariya]

Julia is such a Yes Theory vibe. Please make her a part of the team if she’s willing to join you guys. She has such a good heart.

[leonisnotreal]

This is incredible. I’m from Belarus I live in NY now for 14 years. I am writing from minsk right now, i came here for vacation for the first time in 5 years. Your portrayal of Belarus is incredible I hope more people see this video. Belarus is a touching place. Home to incredible people. Not without its problems. Tears were streaming from my face during the babushka section of the video. It reminded me of my late grandma, and a simpler time in my life. I hope young kids from any part of the world watch this and take away the lesson to never take things for granted. Thank you for coming to Belarus.

[jonathanlandau-litewski]

I have worked for a children's charity that took me over to Belarus 2 years in a row. We were helping build summer camps for orphans. Couldn't shake the feeling we were being closely watched, especially when we were allowed to go into Minsk and spend some free time there. Second time I was there, I fell dreadfully ill and my appendix burst meaning I had to get life-saving emergency surgery in a hospital in Mogilev. I was truly terrified, nobody could speak English and my Belarusian is just basic. I was stuck in that hospital bed for 2 weeks until the insurance company sent me a private ambulance to drive me to Lithuania as I was too ill to fly out of Belarus and a real diplomatic headache arose as I'd entered on a group visa- which was in the group leaders passport and they had long gone home so I was kinda stuck for a bit. From there I flew to Copenhagen then home to the UK. I will say, the general population of Belarus are absolute salt of the earth, appreciate everything they have and are so grateful for all the help we did for them. A little boy called Maxim clung to me and would draw me so many drawings, of which I still have. What breaks my heart is he will now be in his 20s and in military service. I still think of all the kids we befriended over those summers and hope they're all okay.

[YesTheory]

Follow Julia's journey to Italy on her Instagram @kationchikkk (Like this post so more people see it) PS. We are posting more from this trip on our Instagram at @yestheory - PS. In what country could you host Julia if she travels the world? Comment below :)

[JGarrone]

Julia’s energy is amazing !!! And her English is so good for someone who’s never met English speakers before

[taliam]

This was such an interesting documentary. I am from Poland, and Belarus is our neighbour, but while being so close, they always felt so far away - our countries have never been friends in the modern history due to political reasons. But those people are so kind, especially Julia, she has this Slavic warmth in her that lights up the room! I hope we get to live in better times one day, where Polish and Belarusian people will become the slavic brothers and sister again and visit each other <3

[_Vladislav_B]

Thank you for visiting my country! I am so glad you have felt love and kindness of the Belarusian people:) We Belarusians are always happy to guests❤️
And you guys are very cool, I really dream of becoming like you and exploring the whole world, looking for kindness and happiness in it! This is a really amazing video that is filled with love:)

[YesTheory]

Staffan here. I just wanna write some words. First of all. I am out of this world grateful to have a friend & brother like Thomas, who gives me the courage to travel to a place like this. I would not dare by myself, but it's clear that friendships without judgment when fear hits definitely give superpowers. I hope you have that or will find that in your life as well. And then I wanna encourage everyone to keep spreading love over fear in this world. Just as our new sister Julia is doing and the Babushksas we met. Okay, this was the end of my little novel.. :) Love you all!

[tzznbwm]

The fact that we get free documentaries on YouTube by Yes Theory is truly a gift.

[drewbinsky]

One of the best yes theory videos . So glad you went to humanize the innocent people in Belarus 🇧🇾

[jackpearson]

My Fiancee is from Belarus and her and all her family are so kind. I have been many times to Belarus, to Minsk to Grodno and in the countryside. Great people

[SafetNeziri]

I vote for the Belarussian girl to be the new member of Yes Theory Travel Vlog. Her positive energy was contagious!

[IharTurtsou]

Alright. This might be my first comment on YT but this video deserves it. Thank you. Thank you for this one, specifically. As someone who has lived in Canada for 20 years, and has followed you since your time in Montreal, while being born and raised in Belarus, this one hit so so close to home. Thank you for doing what you do, uncovering kindness in people even in the harshest (from the outside) places, despite all the circumstances. Thank you for venturing out of the capital to a small village and bringing back memories of my grandparents and my childhood in Belarus. I could smell the train you took, the garden you walked and the house you were in. This was a cathartic watching experience and an incredible full circle. Thank you again. Now I'm gonna go ahead and watch it a few more times. Love over fear. ✌🏻

[mamkindesigner]

haven’t been home for the past 4 years

this video is hard to watch and honestly makes me want to cry seeing my favorite places

[daniM]

The way Staffan looks at Thomas throughout all the travels, I saw the same look at Julia in this video.
As always, thank you for bringing a positive energy and look into a piece of this world most do not get to experience!

[collhxd]

Yooo! Hi from Pavel that you met near the railway station! Thank you for your work guys!!!

[G_Kaz]

I am Lithuanian but grew up in the US.
I remember going back and visiting my grandparents, they lived in an apartment but had a small home with their garden just outside in the countryside.
They grew bunch of vegetables, fruits, jarred and canned things just like in the video. Everything in this video brings back such distinct memories even the crochet art haha
Also sitting down with my uncles, grandparents, cousins and family with a bottle of vodka, some smoked bacon, is how some of the best stories, memories and wisdom are shared and passed down to younger generations.

[mksmnka]

This video reminded me of 2014, when Belarus hosted the Ice Hockey World Championship. The whole city was filled with people from all over the Europe, and there was a lot of joy, happiness, and festive vibes on the streets of Minsk. Today you can barely hear the foreign speech there, but I believe it would be back one day.

Thank you guys for this video, this is the first time I discovered your channel. And thank you for showing not only Soviet monuments, but Belarusian people. Julia is the face of our young generation that just wants to be the part of the world, enjoy the life, travel, make friends and spread nothing but love, kindness and positive energy. And thank you for your tears, it was heartbroken and so sincere 🥲🤍

Wish you good luck and love always over fear! 🙌

[veronicavetr]

For a lot of people it’s hard to remember that Belarus is not a government. Belarus is people. And people here are the kindness and the most sincere.
With all my heart, I would like you to visit us again. Because there’s still so much to show. We have incredible lakes and rivers. Forests and churches. And, of course, so many talented people. People who still live here no matter what.