The history of Belarusian literature can be traced all the way back to the 9th century and were written in Old Church Slavonic, which is the first Slavic literary language, which is believed to be standardized by the Byzantines, with the Polatsk Chronicle being one the earliest written chronicles of the region which covered religious life and notable historical events.

During the Renaissance period books began to appear in print thanks to Francysk Skaryna. These books were some of the first in the Belarusian language.

The 19th century saw a Belarusian “national awakening”, a rise in national conscioussness, and literature that reflected Belarusian identity. Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkeyvich, born 1808 is considered one of the founders of modern Belarusian literature.

In the early 20th century, Belarus became part of the Soviet Union, and much of the writing from that time period reflects the influence of those events. Many of the works after 1922 were influenced by “socialist realism” that promoted communist ideals and glorified the working class.

Belarus gained independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union, and like many countries that were part of the USSR, a greater freedom in writing was able to flourish after independence.