The Village That Disappeared 🇧🇾 

This guy perfectly combines satire and respect, entertaining and lecturing

You really need to start narratating historical audiobooks. You make everything sound interesting.

Benjamin is doing a great job, dispelling a lot of our misconceptions of the former Soviet Union and proving to us that people are people, that's all. More importantly, his kindness to less fortunate folks, his flair for decent humour yet remaining at all times respectful has not been lost from our attention. Thank you Benjamin, always a pleasure to watch your videos, always uplifting.

This guy is setting an example how to travel happily regardless of places !!!

Gotta respect this man! The fact that during a world wide pandemic he still travels and does what he loves is inspiring. Not to mention how respectful he is too the history of Belarus mixed with light jokes and the occasional silly moment. Everywhere he goes he shows a deep respect for the deceased which I can’t help but admire. Bless you mighty Bald for making this lockdown more enjoyable. - From the UK

The next episode looks great, can't wait to see kolya!

“Strange Englishman wanders through Belarus looking for someone named Kolya.” Sounds like the plot to a post-apocalyptic book, amazing.

The history of Belarus in WWII is so immensely sad. No other country lost a higher percentage of their population than Belarus and their story is not well known in the west and that is itself a tragedy.

Bald returns for his monthly dose of radiation to keep him bald.

*literally no one in the streets and an empty parking lot* Mr. Bald: "Oh, glad that they have a room!"

8:58 It's a T - 44 medium tank. It's the successor to the famous T - 34 and was produced near the end of world war 2

Thank you for showing the Belarus as it is, with it's great history and the great, honest people, who fought, lived and died for this country! I was born in Borisov (Борисов) or Barysaw, a small town on the bank of Berezina river, just about 80km from Minsk. Watching these videos are always entertaining and every time I'm learning something new about my homeland. Жыве Беларусь!

This is honestly my favourite channel on RU-vid right now, difficult to find content like this these days. Well done bald.

I’m looking forward to see how your friend in the woods is doing

If Stork build a nest over your house or close to your house in Belarus. It's a good omen sign of happy family

"Come and See". I always appreciate the history portion of your videos.

These videos are always so well done! History, humor, and genuine interactions with the locals. And of course the "wall of hotties". I'm can't wait to see if Kolya even knows about the pandemic. I would imagine he would say Covid is no match for Russian vodka. My only complaint is the video was so short, but I realize it was just a teaser as you were just arriving. Keep up the good work!

For some weird reason your Belarus videos are the best ones! Love it!

So refreshing not to hear the dreaded youtuber ending to a video of "Dont forget to like comment and subscribe". Great content as always, Thank you for keeping us all entertained with your awesome videos!

You are the history teacher we deserve.

one of the most original and quality content on youtube right now!!

I comment this on every video but this is literally the greatest RU-vid channel of all time. I’ve been watching you for years now and I still haven’t missed watching a video the day it was posted.

I have learned more history from this chanel than in my entire schooling. lol

Thanks for mentioning "the greatest travelers"... storks. Amazing birds...They mate for life and return to the same nest year after year to raise new generation of storks. To have stork's nest on one's chimney is considered a sign of good luck.

I've also been to Khatin, and there's actually a quite powerful monument there that wasn't shown in the video - there's this square, divided into 4 quarters, with a tree in every quarter except for one, which instead has an eternal flame. It represents the fact that 1 in every 4 belarusians died in WW2. It's really quite powerful, even as a non-belarusian.

I love how he’s so optimistic about going hungry

Belarus is such a beautiful and underrated country.

And on top of it's incredibly long journey from Belarus to Mozambique, the stork still takes the time to deliver all our babies. Truly an amazing creature.

❤️Kolya! Want to see him again!!🇨🇦🇺🇦

I love watching your videos! My great grandmother and her siblings were rescued from camps by their father who searched for them over many months. They relocated to Massachusetts to live with a cousin after the war and our family has been here ever since.. People very rarely speak of Russian citizens who went through the same as the Jews. I love seeing my "homeland". I've learned so much from you! My great grandma was from Ivano-Frankivsk and moved around alot up until they took them away.

The fact that he travels and feeds us the culture and history is bloody amazing. Thank you for some worthy content. Stay blessed and keep going friend. 🤙🏽

Great video. Looks like a very well maintained country. I appreciate your showing and explaining the war memorials. It makes me feel greater appreciation for the big Atlantic Ocean that has given my country some protection from the repeated invasions that much of the world has suffered.

As a Frenchman, I can confirm that as soon as I heard Berezina it clicked what this word meant for so long. Fascinating!

Superp ! . When you mentioned KOYLA ..i had a great big smile on my face !. Cant wait for next episode.

"Come and see." The title of a very brutal film about the German atrocities in Belarusia.

Traveler, Historian, Storyteller, Adventurer and Entertainer! Thank you for all that you do!

"Kolya! Kolya! Kolya!" "Kolya forever!"

Legend has it that this is his favourite country

It's a T-44 for anyone who cares about the tank :D

I am your big fan from Tibet and I am Tibetan, I really want you to visit Tibet as it’s very beautiful place and like heaven in earth. M hoping your next video in Tibet, waiting for it

Спасибо, ты больше делаешь для страны чем все министерство туризма.

"let´s see if Kolja is practising social distancing" LOL 😂 i had to smash that like button immediately

I absolutely love this channel. When I'm sad I watch these videos. I already know I'm very fortunate, but I can directly see this in your videos. What I like the most though is the attitude. I learned some Russian as a kid, a weird thing for an American kid to do, and visited Russia for a month in 1985 as an individual traveler so that I could wander around on my own instead of in a group. It is so much fun getting to hear little conversations in Russian in the videos. They're happy conversations with useful phrases. You're such an empathetic, kind, happy human being which the world doesn't have enough of to show examples of how to be a good person. Oh, and brave... OMG BRAVE! Yet you laugh through scary moments as a way to handle them and it works. Thank you so much for this channel! It's gotten me through some rough periods. This one was particularly sad to learn about these wiped out villages. We're not taught in school in this level of detail of how bad things were. Damn, I'm really fortunate.

Спасибо большое за твои видео! Живу рядом с Хатынью, было очень приятно увидеть твой визит!

damn, watching this really puts into perspective how fortunate someone like myself is to have never experienced serious conflict in or near my home.

That story is heartbreaking. It’s good that you’ve been able to share this story with the world

I kept saying how incredibly clean and well maintained everything looks watching this video. Everything painted and touched up, no trash, no graffiti. Amazing to see older architecture so well preserved and cared for down to the smallest details, really gives the feeling that locals care about their community

When I was 10 years old, our school took us to Hatyn on a field trip, it left an impression on me I will not forget till the day I die.

8:56 Its a T-44. It was produced from 1944-1947, althought it wasn't operationally used in WW2 nor later. Due to the Cold War the USSR kept the tank as a secret, but there are some photos of it during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Kolya, Valeri, and the adorable babushka have been up to. They've been social distancing for decades.

That tank appears to be a T-54 prototype produced in 1945. It features a newly engineered hull with an existing T-44's turret mounted on it. A very interesting find! Even through they've never seen action, I think it's a pretty rare unit and a real 'grandfather' of the modern MBTs.

Had no idea that this town had been wiped out and the people slaughtered, man's inhumanity to man never ceases to confound me.

7:15 all that parking space and you parked in handicap space lmao

Everybody's affraid of Corona. Bald: still adventures into the radiation zone

What i most like for almost two years i follow you... Your stories. You are mostly very well informed, about local history. That makes your video's even more interesting. If possible with corona madness, keep doing what you are doing for so long. I love it, love your travels and adventures. And your humor, your "Old Sovjet" humor hahaaha .

Bald, its always so good to see new posts from you. I can only imagine how cool it would be to have a beer with you and listen to your travel stories. Be safe, you are an incredible ambassador and a treasure we can't afford to lose.

This was one of the best episodes I've seen. Very sobering, I knew nothing about this terrible part of history. Thank you for showing the more serious side as well as the fun side of where you travel. Much respect.

Started watching your videos about a year and a half ago. They have made me change my outlook on life and see the potential there is to offer from humanity even in such places. There is always new information to be learnt and taught! I have since been learning Russian and really enjoying it, thank you.

you uploaded this on my birthday..thanks for this gift

That story of Belarusian village was in the movie "Come and See"

I just found out about B&B RU-vid channel 2 weeks ago when I was laying on the floor unable to move due to slipped disc. I became big fan straight from the first video. I love that back to the past of the old Eastern post communist countries. I used to live in one and experienced it as a kid what it was like in those days. Have been binge watching whole list every since and cant wait to see the second part. Amazing guy Mr. Bald...thanks for such a great videos. Keep them coming and keep safe!

You became more like an independent journalist. I like it!

Very interesting and informative. Great sadness with all the terrible deaths. Keep telling these stories and stop people from repeating such horrible acts of war. Bless you Ben 🙏🏽❤️

Thank you for paying respect to the lost villages. I am not directly affected from the past. But I feel a deep sense of remorce for all of the unthinkable things that you mentioned. Thankyou again.

Bald I have a friend from Belarus, I never knew, first 2 minutes made me cry.

I’ve heard the barn story since my early childhood. It’s one that haunts me until this very day. Bless all those that lost their lives to such evil.

Thankyou for educating us on this history that should never be forgotten!!

I learn more about history from Mr bald then i did at school 😂

Spent two years teaching English in a Ukrainian village, love seeing your videos and reminiscing. Keep up the great work 👍

The movie Come and See (1985) is all about the tragedy, very sad, but a very important movie of the events

Hi Bald, im a Russian/Belarusian dude living in California. Born in Riga and came here at 2 years old. My grandmother and most of my cousins still live in Latvia, Belarus, and Ukraine so watching your vids is the closest I get to visiting. You’re the man, thank you!

You're a proper legend. Thanks for allowing me to travel vicariously with you.

"Is he practicing social distancing or not" I lost it right there.

Your travels have opened my eyes to the truths about Europe. Thank you.

I absolutely love you and your videos bro.

For me, that was one of your more Historically-riveting videos. Thanks,

1:32 that hurts. We should never forget...

Thanks Bald for amazing content! Great story about storks! Our country is sometimes named as "зямля пад белымi крыламi" (land under white wings), because stork is the symbol of Belarus

It must be eerie as hell in that destroyed village, especially with those bells ringing randomly.

I got so happy every time you posted new video. I'm on quarantine for almost 3 months now and it really gets sad but when i watch your videos it helps me to calm my mind. Thanks bald!

Powerful introduction Bald! Everyone should watch this. As always, you’re the best!!!

Wow, another video already! I’m so happy. We might get a full 2 months of Belarus videos with these strict border closures still in place.

Benjamin,this trip was a gem,one of your best to date.Dispelling myths,showing some genuine warm people( i met exactly the same in East Europe over the years),and must admit felt a little emotional when meeting up with old friends,particularly the old lady

I love the random educational facts beside all the silliness in your video's :D

I watch u r show. Your travel logs are down to earth, meeting common man on street and have a random chat is wonderful. Keep posting as you travel. Take care. Your Norwegian friend is also wonderful companion.

More and more interesting every time,love this channel. Cheers from Italy and take care,ciao.

Dude, this is awesome...Traveling by the glow of my computer too the heart of Belarus, nice! Cheers and alot of care from Sweden!

We love the random educational facts beside all the silliness in your video's 😊

04:44: I missed the "Oh look, a real soviet stork nest! Its amazing!"

Imagine going to see one of your relatives that lives in that village and then the whole village have just disappeared

6:36 Bald didn't even mention the badass cat painting :(

Привет от България! I recently found your videos and I must confess that haven't I found your channel, my quarantine would have been boring.

“It’s a big ol Soviet tank” 16 seconds later “Here we have the old Soviet shop”

There's a 1985 movie about that "Come and See".

I like following along with these locations you're at with google maps, I know so little about these places and it's interesting to see where everything is

I have a badly broken leg with a recovery time of 18 months to rwo years and I have just discovered your channel and its brilliant and so educational even for an old dude like me so I am watching your videos back to back brilliant

This is an amazing journey. I’m learning a lot. Thank you cheers!

The barn burning that Bald describes is show in graphic detail in the classic 1985 Soviet Belarusian movie called Come and See. It's considered by many film critics to be one of the best war films ever made Edit: I'm just reading through the comments after posting mine and it's good to know that so many people know about Come and See, it's a must watch

I don't know why but just the vast emptiness of this town he visits and the unique shops and restaurants he finds is like being in a soothing dream to me. Its kinda like an escape from the real world while still being in it.

"Is he practicing social distancing or not" Well yeah. For a couple years actually