19 March 2024, Tuesday, 9:08
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Belarus Is Alive!

6
Belarus Is Alive!
Photo: Belsat.eu

20th anniversary of a legendary "Popular Album" was celebrated in Bialystok.

The music performance took place on the stage of Podlaska opera.

Photos of charter97.org view here.

There were 6 performers who presented the "Popular Album" 20 years ago in Minsk: Lavon Volski, Kasya Kamotskaya, Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich, Veranika Kruhlova, Aliaksandr Pamidorau and Siarhei Akhramovich. Two Belarusian bands supported an all-star cast: "Apple Tea" and "Aquarelle Quartet".

The concert will be broadcasted on the Belsat TV channel on a New Year's Eve.

The stage of the Podlaska Opera was equipped in form of a provincial tavern on a former Polish-Soviet frontier. All artists played the people who found themselves in this place before the very beginning of the World War II. So visitors could see smugglers, spies, teacher Ragoisha, a student from Warsaw Alitsa, a supporter of "Poland from sea to sea" Kazik Pesotsky, a worker of a power saw bench Yuzik who is "waiting on Russian tanks", et cetera.

Creator of a concept of "Popular Album" Mikhail Anempadzistau invented the majority of these images and texts. Besides, his ideas arose completely independently not inspired by novels of Siarhei Piasetsky who described in details Inter-War life in Rakov – "capital of adventurers and smugglers" on the Polish-Soviet border.

Participant of "Popular Album" show Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich noted each musician from the project would dream to perform it in Belarus, but it is impossible to do because of "black lists".

"We wish to perform now, not in 10 years on other anniversary. This is disgrace when artists who have significantly contributed to the Belarusian culture, independent and sometimes even official, are Belarusian, cannot perform in their country," a musician emphasized.

Lavon Volsky believes the frontier is entire Belarus.

"The culture of the frontier is, unfortunately, the culture of a war and one or other invaders, and patience of local people related to that. Some people made a cult of it. We have not succeeded yet, but I think we will finally do after all because the present frontier contributes to trade and tourism".

Lavon Volsky emphasizes he would like to see Rakov the next place for the performance.

Former candidate for the presidency Uladzimir Nyaklyayew was impressed by the show. "Today our so-called Belarusian stage is filled with pop music, a Russian one, with artists like Alla Pugacheva or Filipp Kirkorov. Musicians of the "Popular Album" are talented ones. They should determine the Belarusian mass culture; they should represent our country, but not the people appointed by the authorities".

Director of Belsat TV channel Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy told that the first performance of the album 20 years ago had been a test for an independent TV channel.

"The Polish Minister wondered what drama group had participated in the event. I said that we formed the group on our own, it should be done within two months. The minister was really impressed. But it was worth doing it. I can see a positive reaction of people and this is the best award," Romaszewska said.

According to the Belsat director, the show must take place in Minsk. "I think there should be taken attempts to perform in Minsk. Why not? Is there any political background?" Romaszewska wonders.

In her opinion, the performance should be closely bound to the people it aims at. The "Popular Album", first of all, is made for the Belarusians and makes a great difference for them, she is convinced.

The first leader of independent Belarus and ex-Chairman of the Supreme Council of Belarus Stanislau Shushkevich celebrated:

The "Popular Album" is a wonderful performance, this is a show made by free and talented people who love Belarus. This performance plants love for Belarus. I was there and convinced myself again that Belarus is alive. I like that musicians of the "Popular Album" entertain the youth. Thanks them".

The editor-in-chief of charter97.org Natallia Radzina who visited the performance says it should be represented not only in Bialystok, but in Warsaw, Vilnius, and other cities of Europe.

"The show was amazing, thank the musicians who have created the atmosphere of the Belarusian life and made us cry, laugh. As much people as possible should see it. It can drastically change the perception of Belarus and its place in the European history and policy. The "Popular Album" gave us hope and strength to keep fighting for freedom," she said.

According to the former political prisoner and ex-presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, the initiators of the "Popular Album" are true heroes who care for Belarusian culture in times of persecution:

"The Popular Album is a brilliant project which does credit to any country. I take a low bow to these people and Belsat TV channel for such a wonderful gift," Statkevich said.

One of his favorite songs is "Land, oh, my land": "We are wearing gray uniform under a gray sky, we will become a wall of stone that faces foes from the East.

"I guess this song could be the anthem of those who are fighting for their country. These words are getting relevant again. It looks like Putin has been running the policy since the first half of the last century. Perhaps the scenario for the Baltic States in 1940 is waiting on us: we are to be isolated first, then taken by the throat, offered bases and then early elections or referendum. It all has been before. Now the major threat from the East actually exists. And such songs generate emotions, desire to resist. This is their best feature," former political prisoner believes.

Deputy of the Polish Sejm Robert Tyszkevicz stressed: The Popular Album tells about Poles and Belarusians living together. This is the story about heritage of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Podlasie is a mini Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of two nations, many cultures, confessions and languages. This project, in my opinion, does comply with the environment and atmosphere here

The deputy expressed hope that the "Popular Album" would be performed in Bialystok again.

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