Belarusian Woman Creates Women's Book Club in Warsaw, Where Members Find Friends

But the discussion isn't limited to literature: the girls find friends, travel together, and share personal experiences. Hanna told Most why she decided to create a club exclusively for women and how books help Belarusian women socialize in emigration.

"We Called It a Reading House"

Hanna was born in Minsk but spent a significant part of her childhood in a village, her mother's hometown. She often went to the library and read a lot.

A love for literature was also fostered in the family. Grandmother, grandfather, mother, aunt, sister — everyone was constantly reading something. In the evenings, relatives would gather in the large hall of the village house, settle on sofas, and each immerse themselves in their book or newspaper.

— We called it a 'reading house'. My mom taught me to read quite early; I had many children's books. Probably, that's where it all began, — Hanna recalls.

Even in Belarus, Hanna ran a book-related Instagram account: she talked about the works she had read, created curated lists, and sold and gave away books. Even then, she was thinking about her own book club, but she doubted that the idea would find sufficient resonance.

Started with Free Meetings, Then Introduced a Fee

After moving to Poland, Hanna created a small community for networking among emigrants. The members met, got to know each other, and talked about themselves. In the summer of 2022, she decided to unite the girls around a common interest — literature.

The first meetings took place in a small group and were free. Hanna herself arranged the dates and handled the organization.

— I realized that people don't appreciate anything free. Although the group had already formed, organizing was still a big task, — she recounts.

Over time, Hanna decided to make the meetings paid: more people were interested, and organization required time. Initially, participation cost 30 zlotys, now — 50.

"Women Need an Environment Where They Can Talk About Any Topic"

From the very beginning, the book club turned out to be all-female, and Hanna consciously preserved this format. According to her observations, in the company of other women, participants feel more free and are ready to discuss not only literature but also personal problems.

— It seems to me that women need an environment where we can calmly talk about any topic: relationships, problems with relatives, failed pregnancies, illnesses. I've seen how much the girls' behavior changes when a man joins the group. Even if it's someone's partner, — Hanna explains.

Now, men are also interested in the possibility of joining the book club, however, the organizer does not plan to change the format.

About 60 Members in the Chat

During its existence, the club has grown significantly. Now, the Warsaw chat has about 60 people, although not everyone regularly attends meetings.

— On average, about nine members gather at one meeting. Sometimes more: for discussions of particularly popular books, two meetings can be organized so that everyone interested can join, — says Hanna.

Most members, according to the organizer, are between 25 and 45 years old. Primarily, these are Belarusian women, but there are also girls from Ukraine, Russia, Latvia, and Kazakhstan. Their professions vary: among the members are medics, IT specialists, designers, and other representatives of creative professions.

Hanna tries not to turn the book club into a literature lesson. There are no requirements for how deeply one should understand a work, and it's not customary to evaluate others' knowledge.

— We don't have strict rules. You can express absolutely any opinion about classics or a controversial modern author. You can even not finish reading a book and still come. Sometimes the girls come simply because they want to chat, — she says.

"I Don't Ask Questions Like a Teacher"

At the end of the month, members suggest books for discussion, then vote and choose three works for the next month. Hanna coordinates dates, books cafes, and organizes communication. Usually, the discussion lasts about two and a half hours. The organizer tries to involve everyone in the conversation, including more reserved members.

— I don't ask questions like a teacher: 'What did the author mean?' Rather, I ask: 'What do you think?' I see when someone wants to speak and try to give them that opportunity, — she recounts.

If the conversation becomes too emotional or personal, the Belarusian woman tries to bring the discussion back to the book being discussed.

From Contemporary Prose to Polish Classics

The first book discussed at a paid meeting was "To Yourself Tenderly" by Belarusian author Volha Prymachenka. According to Hanna, the work provoked an ambiguous reaction: some liked it, others were not impressed. But that is precisely why the book proved to be a successful choice for an introduction — the members had plenty to talk about.

Currently, the club reads literature of various genres. Particularly lively discussions arise around works that touch upon themes close to the members: emigration, family relationships, motherhood, women's rights.

The organizer also remembers the discussion of psychotherapist Edith Eger's book, "The Choice." Its author survived the Holocaust, emigrated to the USA, and received a psychological education.

— I read it twice. The first time, the topic of the Holocaust resonated strongly with me. The second time, when I myself found myself in emigration, I perceived the story of her relocation differently — how she lived, how her children lived, how she went to study at an advanced age, — Hanna recounts.

Gradually, another tradition appeared in the club: approximately once every two months, members read a book in Polish but discuss it in Russian. Members who find it more comfortable to speak in Belarusian or Ukrainian use their native language.

According to Hanna, about ten works have been read this way during the club's existence. For many, this is additional motivation to learn Polish. Currently, the members are reading Bolesław Prus's novel "The Doll."

Not Just Books: Cinema, Walks, and Joint Trips

Over time, meetings ceased to be limited to literature. Sometimes members go together to museums, movies, quizzes, and sports training sessions, go to the mountains, congratulate each other on birthdays, organize movie screenings, master classes, and thematic evenings. For example, they planned a Halloween meeting: the girls intend to wear costumes, bring snacks, and discuss a Stephen King book.

— We can meet at a concert and then go home together. We can ask for advice or offer someone to conduct a master class. These are no longer just girls in emigration united by one interest. We have truly become friends, — says the organizer.

"In Emigration, Socializing Comes at a High Price"

The club began to play a particularly important role for women who find it difficult to make new acquaintances after moving.

Hanna recalls how some members admitted that before the "book meetings," they rarely left home. Some worked remotely, others spent most of their time with children. As a result, their social circle gradually narrowed.

— The girls say they are finally starting to socialize. That they rarely went anywhere before, worked from home, or took care of children. And I understand that I am doing something truly valuable. In emigration, socializing comes at a high price, — says Hanna.

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