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The “Children for Children” Program: A Modern Perspective on Belarusian History

“Children for Children” is a unique cultural and educational project that brings together children from Belarus and the Belarusian diaspora. The program aims to tell the stories of Belarusian heroes and historical events through animated films created based on children’s drawings produced during neuro-illustration workshops. These workshops were held in seven Polish cities, where children aged 6 to 16 created illustrations of notable historical figures, including Francysk Skaryna, Anastasija Sluckaja, Usiaslau "the Wizard" Charadziej, Vincent Dunin-Marcinkievich, and Ignat Damejka.
What makes this project special is that children were actively involved not only in creating the illustrations but also in developing the scripts for the films. For instance, the animation about Francysk Skaryna is styled as a comic book, where the first printer is portrayed as a “superhero of the Renaissance.” This idea emerged from the children’s choices: the young artists themselves selected the style, format, and key events from Skaryna’s life, emphasizing that knowledge is not just power, but a “superpower.”
The project was implemented with the support of the “Octopus: Education for Belarusian Children Today and Tomorrow” program and the "Center for Social Dialogue" Foundation. The animated film premieres were held in various cities, where children and their parents had the opportunity to see the fruits of their labor. The cartoons have already gained popularity, amassing over 7,000 views in the first three weeks after being released on the “Children for Children” YouTube channel.
The organized masterclasses and workshops on neuro-illustration are not only a chance to introduce children to new technologies but also a way to create animations that help preserve Belarusian history and culture for future generations. Through such initiatives, children explore the history of their country through art, strengthen their connection with Belarusian culture, and enhance their creative skills.