Michaś Naŭmovič

Michaś Naŭmovič (, 3 October 1922 – 8 March 2004) was a prominent figure of the Belarusian diaspora in France, artist and physiotherapist.

Early years Naŭmovič was born into a farming family in the village of Kašaliova in Navahrudak district, Second Polish Republic (nowadays – Belarus) on 3 October 1922. He attended Polish primary schools in Kašaliova and Navahrudak. One of his primary teachers, (who would later become a prominent figure of the Belarusian diaspora in Germany and the USA as well as the Minister of Education of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic), recommended Naŭmovič to continue his education in a Polish gymnasium in Navahrudak. Following the Soviet annexation of Western Belarus, Russian became the language of instruction in the gymnasium. Naŭmovič did not speak this language well, did not want to understand and accept the Soviet power, which was the reason of numerous conflicts during his studies. At this time he also started learning painting he showed a great talent for. Later, he published this magazine together with Leo Garoshka who was also involved in publishing another journal for the Belarusian diaspora, “Božym Šlacham” (“”).

Between 1949 and 1952 Naŭmovič headed the Belarusian youth organisation, the Union of Belarusian Students, and the Belarusian Union of Combatants.

He also served as a representative in France of the Belarusian Committee of Victims of Radiation established in 1989 within the Belarusian Catholic Mission in London at the initiative of Father Alexander Nadson.

Naŭmovič was a member of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic.

Artistic works Naŭmovič is the author of more than ten stone sculptures including the tombstone on Mikola Ravienski's grave, sculptures for churches, the Pont Alexandre III and the Pont Neuf in Paris, as well as the work “The Wedding in Canne of Galileo”. He won a competition for the creation of a statue of Joan of Ark. He illustrated several books written by Belarusian authors and published outside Belarus in 1950-1960, including “Spadčyna” (“My Heritage”) by Janka Kupala, “Symon-muzyka” (“Symon the Musician”) by Jakub Kolas, “Matčyn dar” (“A Mother's Gift”) by Aliés Harun, the journal “Lia čužych bierahoŭ” (“By Strange Shores”). Naŭmovič also painted with watercolours. He donated several of his works to the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum.