Exhibition dedicated to Hungarian revolution not allowed in Lukashenka’s library

The National Library denied renting premises for a photo exhibition to the Embassy of Hungary.

A photo exhibition “Freedom and Democracy” was to be dedicated to the anniversary of the revolution of 1956 and the Day of Proclamation of the Hungarian Republic in 1989, BelaPAN reports.

As Hungarian ambassador Ferenz Kontra said, the refusal was explain by repair works in the library, where the waterproofing system was damaged due to heavy rains.

In spite of prior arrangement, the National Library also refused to rent premises to the embassy for a solemn celebration of the national Hungarian holiday. As the diplomat said, after the embassy had referred to the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the permission was given. The reception is to be held in the National Library on October 21.

“We find open dialogue with journalists very important. So, I am not going to deny we have had some troubles in organizing the exhibition and reception on an occasion of the national holiday. All problems have been settled. I appreciate the ministers of culture and foreign affairs for their help in resolving the situation,” the diplomat said.

Lyudmila Kirukhina, The deputy director of the library on scientific research and public relations, explained the refusal to hold the photo exhibition “Freedom and Democracy” with the fact that galleries are occupied with works of the First Minsk International Festival of Digital Art.

The exhibition is open in all library galleries since October 18 until November 25. According to her, the organizers of the event didn’t expect it would be so popular – it consists of 170 works from eight countries, including for EU states.

“This is not just an exhibition, it is a festival. The international jury wil sup up the results this week,” Kirukhina noted.