Grand gig Solidarity with Belarus in Warsaw (Photo)

• 31.03.2008, 17:14

Thousands of people attended a concert titled Solidarity with Belarus, held on Warsaw Castle Square. Polish bands and Belarusian musicians Lyavon Volski, Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich, Rusya, Alyaksandr Kulinkovich, Alyaksandr Pamidorau and IQ 48 played there.

Famous film director Krzysztof Zanussi, headmaster of closed by the authorities Belarusian Lyceum Uladzimir Kolas, and missed Belarusian journalist’s widow Svyatlana Zavadskaya, spoke at the concert. Much was said about the lyceum and events in Minsk on 25 March.

At the end of the concert representatives of Tibet were invited to the scene and expressed solidarity of Belarus and Poland. It was said that concert was held in Warsaw for the last time, and the next one would be organised in Minsk on Yakub Kolas Square.

This year the gig was held under a slogan Belarusian language for Belarusians. The aim of the concert organisers was to turn attention to the problem of neglecting Belarusian language, in particular, closing down of Belarusian newspapers and Belarusian schools.

The concert was broadcasted live by independent TV channel Belsat and Radio Racyja.

The Solidarity with Belarus concert was held for the third time. In 2006 the gig was organised to support the Belarusian opposition ahead of presidential election, in 2007 Polish people demonstrated their solidarity with the Belarusians on 25 March – Freedom Day. Every year performances attract thousands of people partial to Belarus.

The idea of the concert belongs to an initiative “Free Belarus.” The organisation unites young people, interested in democratic changes in Europe. The main line of activity of the organisation is to support the Belarusian opposition. Besides the annual concerts, the initiative realises projects to help the Belarusian democratic community.

Photo by “Nasha Niva”