Lyavon Volski: Impossible to celebrate BNR’s anniversary in Bangalore Square

Lyavon Volski presented his fifth solo album Hravitacyja in Minsk on March 2. He has shared his opinion about Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s interdiction to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic in the stadium Dynama.

“We expected it. Of course we thought that they could say “one time is enough”, we were sure that they would. It was the same last year and we did not know whether to participate or not. It was a dilemma. They can allow something today and everything may change tomorrow… It does not depend on those who inspire [to celebrate the Freedom Day], it depends on those who give permission. Yet, we had obligations.”

It is impossible to celebrate the Freedom Day in Bangalore Square in a worthy manner, Lyavon Volski thinks. It will not be celebrated in Bangalore Square, the musician said categorically.

The Belarusian authorities have been sending the opposition to organize events in the Park of Peoples’ Friendship in Bangalore Square in Minsk since the beginning of the 2000s. Lyavon Volski’s band N.R.M. was added on ‘the black list of musicians’ for several years after their performance at the concert in Bangalore Square on March 25, 2006. The band was not allowed to give concerts in Belarus back then.

The 100th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic (BNR) was marked at a big concert in front of the Opera and Ballet Theatre. About 50 thousand people attended the event, the organizers reported.