Uladzimir Terauski

Uladzimier Teraŭski (; 11 November 1871 - 10 November 1938) was a Belarusian composer, choirmaster and a victim of Stalin’s purges. He wrote music to a number of popular Belarusian songs such as Vajacki Marš and Kupalinka.

Early years Teraŭski was born into the family of a parish priest in the village of Ramanaŭ, Minsk Governorate of the Russian Empire (currently known as the village of Lenin in the Slutsk District, Minsk region of Belarus).

He graduated from the Slucak Theological Seminary in 1889 but did not enter priesthood. After serving in the Russian Imperial Army, Teraŭski worked in Russia for a number of years and pursued his love for music. He joined the choir of the famous Russian conductor and musician Dmitrij Agrenev-Slavjanskij. The choir's repertoire included, among others, several Belarusian folk songs.

In 1914 he created one of the first Belarusian choirs. After the February Revolution, the choir became part of the First Belarusian Society of Drama and Comedy, and Teraŭski headed the musical part of the Society. During the existence of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, he was appointed the head of the state choir.

In 1930 Teraŭski was accused of being a “national democrat” and lost his job as a result. He became a psalmist in a Minsk church.