“Kalanisty” (“The Colonists”) by Maksim Znak is a collection of short prison stories and a sequel to his book “Zekameron,” exploring life inside a Belarusian penal colony.

Based on the personal experiences of the Belarusian lawyer and political prisoner, the book reveals a world governed by its own rules, rituals, hierarchies, and absurdities.

Blending dark humor with painful reality, the stories explore cruelty and compassion, fear and dignity, showing how people adapt to life under imprisonment. Inspired by Jules Verne’s “The Mysterious Island,” the book reflects on the struggle to preserve inner freedom, humanity, and the ability to find light even in the darkest circumstances.

Language: Belarusian
Cover: hardcover
Place of publication: Poland
Year of publication: 2026