The article is devoted to the multifaceted study of the ‘continuous war’ motif dominant in the Belarusian literature of the twentieth century. Two stages of its development are highlighted. The first one is associated with the works by Z. Biadulia, C. Hartny, M. Harecki, M. Zarecki, Ja. Kolas, K. Corny; the second one is connected with L. Dajnieka, H. Dalidovic, V. Karamazau, M. Loban, I. Samiakin, A. Jakimovic and their historical novels. Both stages are characterized by a thorough analysis of the continuous stream of catastrophic events which tested common Belarusians