Symon Rak-Michajłoŭski was a Belarusian political leader, writer, and teacher. He was a member of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic and a deputy of the Sejm (Parliament) of the Second Polish Republic (1922–1927). He wrote extensively for several newspapers, including Naša Niva, Belarus and Zvon, and authored music for the famous song "Zorka Venera" based on a poem by Maksim Bahdanovič.

The Rada of the Belarusian National Republic was the governing body of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Since 1919, the Rada BNR has been in exile where it has preserved its existence among the Belarusian diaspora as an advocacy group promoting support to Belarusian independence and democracy in Belarus among Western policymakers. As of 2024, the Rada BNR is the oldest existing government in exile.