It’s rebranding time. Belarus aka the last dictatorship of Europe (©Condoleezza Rice) ceased to exist. I would suggest The-everything-possible land as a new brand name.

It’s difficult to surprise us. The Belarusians know that everything is possible.

Who could say a year ago that all those recognised by the West as political prisoners will be released, Brussels and Minsk would finally start mending relations and political dialogue would begin? Who could predict that Belarus would be invited to the Eastern Partnership programme? But somehow nobody is surprised here.

Javier Solana coming to Minsk? One foreign minister visiting Belarus after another? Good. But what’s so special about it?

A year ago Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenka started appearing with a small boy. Now they are seen together during official visits, beauty contests and military drills. Why is it impossible? You can see it with your own eyes on TV.

The president is a keen and talented hockey-player and has never lost a match. Well, actually just twice. And both times to Gazprom hockey team. Not surprising, huh?

One day before EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner planned to be in the Belarusian capital, the president went to Armenia. Why not, after all… He is a busy one.

Now his first official visit to Europe was announced. And the president goes to… Vatican. An Orthodox atheist© as he called himself, Lukashenka is meeting the Pope. Nobody in BY would be amazed if the president baptises his son in Rome. Or mediate about the meeting of the Pope and the head of Russian Orthodox Church. He has been suggesting hosting this friendly reunion in Belarus since 2002.

By the way. Before travelling to Minsk Czech FM Schwarzenberg had an audience with the Pope. The head of Catholic Church is probably in. And Lukashenka as well. Nothing to marvel at.

Even if Obama comes to Minsk for his holidays bringing his daughters to play with the president’s son or Lukashenka goes to meet Dalai Lama or Santa Claus, you can be sure that Belarusians won’t show any amazement. Why? Everything is possible.

But actually… it’s a sad and passive feeling: you are a bored onlooker, you see things happen, observe but neither influence nor participate. Thus I probably picked a wrong brand name for the country. Unless the Belarusians realise this everything-is-possible motto is proactive in the first place and make reality what they need and enjoy.

I guess I’ll have to think again.