Office for a Democratic

Belarus Headlines

Issue XXVI April 10 — 24, 2008

Debates in the EP on Costs of Schengen Visas for and

their strong desire to ernment of Belarus, he said. help the people of Bel- However, the political situa- arus gain more access tion might change in the fu- Office for a Democratic to the European Un- ture. It is also important to Belarus ion. MEPs called on have an EU representation the European Commis- office on the ground. Such an sion to do all in their office has recently been Inside this issue: power to facilitate the opened and will surely con- visa regime. More tribute to development of travel opportunities for relations between Belarus On April 21, at the begin- Belarusian citizens would and the Union. Debates in the 1 ning of the European Parlia- speed up the process of de- EP on Schengen ment’s session in Strasbourg mocratisation and create a 21/04/2008 (France), the vice-president better climate for a pro- visa costs Prepared by the ODB reduction for of the European Commis- European course of develop- Belarusians and sion, Mr Jacques Barrot, ment in Belarus, members presented a statement on urged. “The isolationism of Ukrainians cost of a Schengen visa for the Belarusian government Interview with 2 citizens of and Bel- should not turn into the isola- arus. His intervention was tion of the Belarusian people” Jean-Louis followed by a debate. Laurent (PACE) Elisabeth Schroedter from the On Belarus, the Commis- Greens/EFA group called the PACE discusses 3 sioner said that the current Schengen policies in regard to Belarus regulations will not be re- Ukraine and Belarus inade- Hearings on 4 viewed in the near future. quate and said they under- "The opening of discussions mined the credibility of the Chernobyl in EP on a possible facilitation of EU external policy as a whole. issuing visas is not envis- Marek Siwiec, an MEP from 5 Politic and aged at this point with Bela- and former chairman society news rus," said Mr Barrot. The of the Delegation on Relations commissioner reminded that with Ukraine in the EP, de- Economic news 6-7 some exceptions can be scribed the procedures for made in individual cases. Ukrainians and Belarusians to States adjoining Belarus obtain a visa as “below the 8 Culture: may also negotiate agree- level of dignity”. Beavis and ments for facilitation of bor- Butthead from der traffic. For example, In his summing-up, Commis- Belarus such negotiations have al- sioner Barrot agreed that it is ready started between Bela- necessary to provide Belaru- We on the Web rus and Poland, Mr Barrot sians and Ukrainians with bet- 9 www.democraticbelarus.eu Belarus’ said. ter possibilities to visit the EU. Creative The climate for negotiations Opposition The majority of the parlia- on visa regime is more favour- mentarians who spoke dur- able in Ukraine, while it is ing the debate expressed difficult to speak to the gov- ISSUE XXVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 2

Jean-Louis Laurent: Once the Belarusian government commits itself to openness and starts the process of democratization, negotiations can begin immediately (CPT) should be arranged. Do itself part of the BSU). We shall try to you think this would be possi- make sure the project is not a static col- ble? lection of books and other printed materi- als, but a dynamic programme describing J-L.L.: The mandate of the our main achievements and campaigns. Commissioner is limited to Free access for everyone was one of our members of the organization, key conditions when carrying out negotia- and Belarus is not part of it. tions with the state authorities. However, when there is the will to act, one can find ways. ODB: When presenting his report on The question is whether such a Abuse of Criminal Law in Belarus, Mr visit would be accepted by the Pourgourides pleaded to the Russian gov- Interview with Jean-Louis Laurent . In order to in- ernment to stop supporting the regime of spect Belarusian prisons, one has to Lukashenka. Would you add your signa- Director General have access to them. In addition, we ture to such an appeal? have to act carefully and make sure Directorate General of such a trip would not be misused by the J-L.L.: All efforts tend to show long-term and Political Affairs government and the state media. benefit. Some members of the Assembly have more influence than others on vari- Parliamentary Assembly of the ODB: As it happened to Mr van der ous issues. Maybe this is the case. (PACE) Linden when he visited in Janu- ODB: Members of the Russian delegation ODB: Mr. Laurent, currently there ary 2007? voiced a suggestion to restore immedi- are two approaches towards Belarus J-L.L.: The former PACE President ately the observer status of Belarus at in the Assembly, that of Mr. Pour- was himself critical of how the purpose PACE, without demanding compliance gourides, known for his tough posi- of his journey and his messages were with any conditions. Is the Belarusian tion regarding the current situation of presented to the public by the Belaru- government lobbying for the same objec- , and that of sian state media. To my mind, his visit tive? Mr. Rigoni, who calls for more con- was a courageous act, even if he did not tacts with the government of Bela- achieve any real impact- at least in the J-L.L.: Yes. In place of the fulfilment of rus. Which strategy do you favour? short term. Experience shows how dif- conditions for a dialogue with us they suggest activities in areas of culture and J-L.L.: I am not sure there are two ficult it is to come to any agreement with your government. For example, we education, but never mention human positions. The rapporteurs have dif- rights and democracy. Culture and educa- ferent mandates within PACE. While had to cancel a conference in Bratislava this spring because the conditions im- tion are very important, but they are not at the position of Mr Pourgourides is the centre of the Council’s activities. well-known, Mr Rigoni’s draft report posed by the Belarusian side were un- acceptable. While conducting a dia- Once the Belarusian government commits has not been presented yet, so it is itself to openness and starts the process of too early to draw any conclusions. I logue, one has to assess the achieve- democratization, negotiations can begin personally do not see any fundamen- ments and risks, and then decide if it is immediately. tal contradictions in their assess- worth acting. In any case, we will con- ments of the current state of affairs, tinue our support for civil society in ODB: Is the Assembly planning any ac- it is rather that they have different Belarus. Our programmes are open and tivities in connection with the parliamen- approaches in how to deal with the serve the purpose of our organization: tary due to take place situation while the objective is the to promote democracy, human rights this autumn? same. The Council of Europe is not and the rule of law. complete without Belarus. The ques- J-L.L.: It would be a very clever move by ODB: Are you excited about the open- tion is how to extend the work of the the officials of Belarus to issue an invita- ing of the info-point in Minsk? Can the organization to the people of your tion for an observer mission. Such action agreement to implement this project be country. would show their attempt to be more considered as success? transparent and open. In the end, what is ODB: The Commissioner for Human J-L.L.: Excited would be an exaggera- the most important for us that the country Rights, Mr Hammarberg, said during tion. I hope we will be able to provide should be ruled by fairly elected officials the session debate that not enough is more objective information about the and the political leaders work for the being done about Belarus. Members Council of Europe both to the people of good of the people. of the Dutch delegation from the Belarus and the government. However, liberal group voiced their concern Finally, I’d like to reiterate that it is the there are no illusions on our side. The about the grave situation in Belaru- Belarus government’s turn to act. The ball info-point will be a very limited institu- sian prisons and suggested to The is in their court. tion, based at the faculty of journalism Commissioner that a visit by the of the Belarus State University (but not Committee on Prevention of Torture By ODB PAGE 3 BELARUS HEADLINES ISSUE XXVI

PACE Discusses Belarus

The situation in Christos Pourgourides, vice-chairman of the Committee on Belarus attracted Legal Affairs and Human Rights (Cyprus), well-known in considerable atten- Belarus as author of the report on disappeared persons and for tion at the session his tough stance regarding dialogue between Europe and the of the Council of Belarusian government presented an analysis of abuses of Europe Parliamen- the criminal justice system in Belarus. He proposed a resolu- tary Assembly tion that was approved by the majority of the Council’s mem- (PACE) in Stras- bers: this urged the Belarusian authorities to abolish the arti- bourg last week. cle in the Criminal Code that criminalizes activities on behalf of an unregistered organization. Commenting on a Dutch delegate’s question as to what approach should be used towards Belarus and those Bela- During the international conference of non-governmental rusian citizens who face political repressions, German organisations Belarusian civil society activists had the chance Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed, on behalf of her to speak about the repressions their organisations suffer in party (the Christian Democratic Union), full support for Belarus and the new amendments to the Belarusian legislation the Belarusian democratic opposition and political prison- on NGOs. The conference participants discussed possible ers. She also called upon the international community to ways of supporting human rights and civil society activists in pay special attention to the situation in Belarus and provide Belarus. One proposal was to hold with the PACE sub- all possible support to those imprisoned on political committee on the Media a joint “Conference on Democrati- grounds, and to let them know that they are not forgotten sation of the Mass Media in Belarus”. The organisers plan to and enjoy international attention. invite representatives of international civil society and hu- man rights groups, media associations, and also official rep- The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights resentatives from the Belarusian Ministry of information, Thomas Hammarberg (Sweden) likewise addressed the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National As- issue of political prisoners. He believes that Europe should sembly of the Republic of Belarus (the Belarusian Parlia- build relations with Belarus in the hope that that the situa- ment). Belarusian Association of Journalists chairwoman tion may improve in the future and Belarus can join the Zhanna Litvina also suggested establishing a standing com- Council of Europe. The Commissioner expressed his con- mittee for monitoring the situation of the media in Belarus; cern over the poor conditions and treatment in Belarusian this should consist of journalists from the independent media prisons. He promised to consider the suggestion voiced by and associations, international experts and the official repre- some Assembly members to discuss with the Belarusian sentatives involved in elaborating and implementing the leg- authorities a possible visit by the “Commission on Preven- islation on the media. tion of Torture”. The Commissioner said his office had good contacts with the Belarusian human rights activists, 17/04/2008 but that very little had been done so far to improve the situation regarding human rights in Belarus. By ODB (Photo: PACE official web-site)

Belarus Rapporteur Appeals in the Belarus Press for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty

for a moratorium on the death penalty attitude from the part of judges and in Belarus. This letter reads: legal professionals but also raising the awareness of the Belarusian citizens “Dear chairmen, through an open, comprehensive and Popular should be the basis of every inclusive debate. decision but there are some issues on (...) The death penalty is the ultimate which the authorities of a country denial of human rights. It violates the should assume the responsibility to standards and values of the Council of lead the way. I call on you and the Europe. I ask you and the National Institution over which you preside to Andrea Rigoni, PACE special rappor- lead the way towards the introduction Assembly of Belarus to make it politi- teur on the situation in Belarus, has of a moratorium on the death penalty cal undertaking that nobody will be issued the following open letter to in Belarus, as an intermediate step executed in Belarus anymore”. Vadzim Papow, Chairman of the towards its complete abolition. I call House of Representatives of the Re- on you to lead this battle with the public of Belarus, and to Henadz greatest resolve, knowing that this Navitsky, Chairman of the Council of process will require not only legislative Source: coe.int the Republic of the National Assem- initiative, not only a reform of the peni- bly of the Republic of Belarus, calling tentiary system, not only a change of ISSUE XXVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 4

Hearing “CHERNOBYL TODAY” in the European Parliament

The Chairperson of the dele- liquidators after the Belarusian govern- gation on relations with Bel- ment cancelled their social security arus Jacek Protasiewicz benefits. (MEP, EPP-ED) recalled that the Soviet authorities had Among the proposals voiced during the concealed and minimized discussion were: information about the disas- • Abolishing visa requirements ter and that he himself had or granting free visas for happened to learn of it only Chernobyl liquidators; from Radio Free Europe thus stressing the important role • Establishing an international of the independent media. organisation to provide sup- port for the liquidators; On April 17, on the initiative of The former President of Lithuanian MEP Dr. Laima Andrikiene, Vytautas Lansbergis began his • Establishing a research centre the EPP-ED group in the European speech with a moment of silence in for monitoring the situation Parliament organized a hearing memory of Chernobyl victims. He of radiation impact on the “CHERNOBYL TODAY” on the situa- underlined that Belarus is a part of environment to prevent fur- tion in Belarus. Europe and Chernobyl should be- ther tragedies. come a common concern for the EU “A major theme of the hearing was the since Lithuania, Poland and The necessity of providing the popula- violation of human rights in Belarus, also suffered from the consequences tion of the contaminated area with clean with special reference to the victims of of the disaster. foodstuff particularly stressed during the the Chernobyl disaster, and in particu- debates. lar the so-called “liquidators” – the Information on the current situation servicemen and civilian emergency in Belarus regarding the environ- The participants in the hearing adopted workers involved in containing the dis- mental situation and public heath a final declaration stressing the need for aster and subsequent clean-up opera- were presented by a number of Bela- the EU to monitor and research the con- tions”. rusian delegates, including researcher tinuing effects of Chernobyl on public and prisoner of conscience, Dr.Yury health and the environment both in the In his opening speech, the Vice- Bandazheusky, member of the Bela- EU member states and in neighbouring President of the European Parliament rusian Academy of Science Ivan countries. Alejo Vidal-Quadras emphasised that Nikitchanka, former liquidator of the the liquidators who fought the conse- Chernobyl disaster, and president of For the photos please see Photogallery quences at Chernobyl were saving not the “Chernobyl” Union of Belarus section on our web-site. only their own country and families but Aliaksandr Vauchanin, lawyer Hary also the whole of Europe. He believes Paganiaila, first deputy chairperson that the problems of the liquidators of the Vint- 18/04/2008 should be a matter of international con- suk Viachorka. In particular, they cern. stressed the problems of Chernobyl By ODB

Information Evening on Belarus in the University of Ghent

On April 9, representatives of the Office for a Democratic Belarus took part in an information evening at the University of Ghent (Belgium) organized by a non- profit, non-governmental group “Pax Christi”. The ODB director Olga Stuzhin- skaya presented to the students of the uni- versity’s Economics department a brief historical survey of Belarus and described its present political and economic situa- tion. The guests of the evening were highly interested in what the investment climate in Belarus is like, and asked questions about the current political situation, human rights issues, and the relations of Belarus with the EU and . The debate was followed by screening of the film Ploshcha (director: Yury Hashchavatsky). ISSUE XXVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 5

Politics and Society

New Political Trials in Belarus

On April 22 small entrepreneurs denounced by Mr. Parsyu- Minsk cen- President Alexander Lukashenka. kevich, a tral court Jonathan Moore, the United States’ retired po- has con- charge d’affaires to Belarus, on Tues- lice major victed 10 day described Mr. Kim’s sentence as a who chairs youth activ- political decision. the Sole ists for their The next day a judge of Minsk’s Mas- Entrepre- part in a January protest over the gov- kowski District Court sentenced small neurs’ Council at Vitsyebsk’s Smalenski ernment's moves to increase the burden business activist Syarhey Parsyuke- market, insisted that he was brutally on private business. vich to 2 ½ years in a minimum secu- beaten on January 21 by a jailer in the Twenty-year-old Andrei Kim was sen- rity correctional institution, finding rank of police warrant officer in the de- tenced to 1½ years in prison while him guilty of beating up a policeman. tention centre on Akrestsina Street. seven others got suspended sentences Judge Uladzimir Awdzeyenka also of up to two years. Two more were ordered that Mr. Parsyukevich should 24/04/2008 fined the equivalent of US$1,700 pay 1,100,000 rubels ($515) to the (1,100 euro). Kim was convicted of police officer in compensation for the Source: Reuters, the Associated Press, attacking a policeman at a protest by “moral damage.” BelaPAN

Belarus Eases Visa Rules for Tourists

Belarus has simplified procedures for single-and double-entry tourism visas, the country's Foreign Minis- try said. Among other things, "the need for an alien to submit the original of a tourist voucher to a Belarusian insti- tution abroad has been abolished," the ministry's press service said. The documents needed for a visa in- clude a request from a Belarusian travel agency or from a medical (recreational) institution, or from a Bel- arusian individual licensed to provide travel services. In individual cases, a consulate official may be au- thorized to issue a visa. A copy of a document needed for receiving a visa may be accepted if the applicant is a citizen of a European Union country, the United States, Canada, Japan or one or other nations listed in a special register. Double-entry visas would be issued to those travelling through Belarus to visit a neighbouring country. 14/04/2008 Source:

Belarus Tells US To Reduce Embassy Staff From 17 To 5

Belarus has asked the U.S. to further reduce its embassy staff, the ex-Soviet republic and the U.S. embassy said Thursday in an escalating diplomatic row over alleged human rights abuses. The ministry said it had told the U.S. ambassador to "carry out the recommendation of the Belarussian Foreign Ministry on mutual cuts of the American diplomatic presence in Minsk and that of Belarus in Washington." 23/04/2008 Source: AFP

Belarus Interested in Dialogue with the Council of Europe

Belarus is interested in development of a dialogue with the Council of Europe, Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Varanetski said at the opening of a joint conference of the Constitutional Court of Belarus and the Venice Commission in Minsk on Thursday. “Belarus is open to dialogue and cooperation,” he said. “Our conference offers a practical opportunity to look at all aspects of this topic, identify problems and find solutions” 24/04/2008 Source: BelaPAN ISSUE XXVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 6

Economic News

Turkcell Confirms Planning Bid for Belarus GSM Network

On March 5, 2008, Turkcell announced acquire a 70% stake in the Belarus that, as part of its efforts to evaluate GSM network operator, MDC. investment opportunities in the region, According to statistics from the Mo- it was conducting studies in Belarus. bile World, MDC ended last year with However, at that time no definitive de- some 3 million customers - compared cision had been taken regarding these to a mere 181,000 subscribers for studies. BeST. Based on the enterprise price In a statement, the company said that it paid by Telekom Austria - on a per "has decided to conduct the necessary customer basis the most that BeST studies to submit a proposal directly, or could be worth is just US$72 million. Turkey's Turkcell has announced that it through one of its subsidiaries, to the plans to bid in the forthcoming sale of shareholders of the Belarusian Tele- state-owned Belarusian mobile opera- communication Network (BeST), based tor BeST. Last year, Belarusian Presi- in the Republic of Belarus, to purchase 11/04/2008 dent Alexander Lukashenka said that the majority of shares of the company." the government would sell the GSM Source: celluar-news.com network operator and is seeking bids of Late last year, Telekom Austria paid around US$500 million. EUR730 million (US$1.04 billion) to

Belarusian Government Increases Share In 28 Indebted Companies

Under a directive issued by the Council of Ministers, 28 companies, mainly subsidiaries of the Belarusian State Light Industry Concern and the Belarusian State Food Industry Concern, are to hand over part of their stocks to the government in exchange for Minsk's use of public coffers to pay the interest on some of the companies' loans. The loans, obtained in 2007, went mainly to- ward modernizing the companies' production facilities. 12/04/2008 Source: Radio Free Europe

Heineken N.V. Interested in Acquiring Stake in Rechitsapivo Brewery

Heineken N.V. chase shares of other “We are ready to offer you comprehen- would like to acquire Belarusian breweries: sive support as if to our company,” a stake in Re- for example, Lidskoye Belarusian official information sources chitsapivo brewery, Pivo Brewery. quoted Lukashenka. “What matters BelTA was told in “However, the negotia- most is that you should set us techno- the Bel- tions there have been logical tasks that meet the world’s gospishcheprom difficult so far,” Bel- highest standards.” concern. gospishcheprom said. Belarus is interested in Jean-François van Boxmeer, chairman The negotiations the involvement of Hei- of the company’s Executive Board, for with the potential neken NV in the coun- his part, said that Heineken NV was investor are under- try’s brewing industry, interested to work on the Belarusian way, Belgospishcheprom informs. For Alyaksandr Lukashenka said while market. example, the company can acquire the meeting with the Dutch brewer’s top share of the Lithuanian shareholder of executives on April 15. He said that the Dutch company would the brewery and purchase some part of consider buying more breweries in the shares which are in municipal Heineken NV bought the Babruysk- Belarus in the future. ownership. The investor would like to based Syabar brewery, the owner of buy a majority stake. Belarus’ second-largest beer brand, for an undisclosed amount in late 2007. 15/04/2008 Heineken N.V. also intends to pur- Source: BelTA, naviny.by ISSUE XXVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 7

Economic News India to Invest in Potash Mining in Belarus

India plans to Rajendra Kumar Tyagi stated during put several billions of dollars in it”. invest in the his working visit to on April extraction of 23. In 2007, India invested nearly $50 billion potash fertiliz- in various joint projects overseas, the ers in Belarus, According to him, Belarus is the major diplomat said. Ambassador potash fertilizer supplier of India. Bel- Extraordinary arusian potash fertilizers are of high 23/04/2008 and Plenipo- quality. India intends to partake in the Source: BelTA tentiary of In- development of new potash mines in dia to Belarus, Belarus and in this respect “is ready to

Belarusian President Suggests Further Increases in Food Prices

President Alyaksandr Luka- this is wrong and paves the way for [disadvantageous] sales shenka said on April 22 in of products abroad. There is no other way for us; we will Hrodna voblast that food prices have to raise food prices to prevent products from being in Belarus should be brought washed away to neighboring countries." According to the into line with those in neighbor- government statistics office, retail food prices in Minsk rose ing countries, Belapan reported. by 17.6 percent year-on-year in the first three months of "Prices in Russia, Ukraine, Bela- 2008. rus, and European Union coun- tries will be more or less the 24/04/2008 same," Lukashenka said. "They Source: Radio Free Europe are a bit lower here today. We are keeping price caps, but

More than 300 Companies from 18 Countries to Take Part in Belarusian Industrial Forum

More than 300 companies from 18 the Belarusian Industrial Forum is an countries will take part in the Belaru- important event not only for the Min- Exhibition “Belpromexpo – up-to-date sian Industrial Forum, which will be istry of Industry but also for many plant” is expected to be popular. The held in Minsk on May 13-16, Aliak- ministries and governmental depart- exhibition will display technological sandr Malaletau, chairman of the for- ments of the country. It is a traditional equipment not only for big plants but eign and economic relations depart- display of up-to-date innovation tech- for small companies as well. On the ment of the Belarusian Industry Min- nologies and equipment. The forum initiative of the Ministry of Industry a istry told at a press conference in will pay special attention to problems workshop will be organized with the Minsk. of energy-saving and energy effi- assistance of subsidiary production unit ciency. This issue will be discussed at of ZAO Atlant. The programme of the forum will a plenary session of symposium called include: the international symposium “Technologies – Equipment – Qual- “Technologies – Equipment – Qual- ity”. This year expositions of all the oblasts ity”; exhibitions “Belpromexpo – up- of the country and free economic zones to-date plant”; “Energy and Re- International specialized exhibition will be presented at the Belarusian In- source-Saving Technologies”; “Energy and Resource-Saving Tech- dustrial Forum for the first time. Dis- “Welding”. The 5th international nologies” will include two sections. play “Regions of Russia” will introduce contest of energy and resource-saving Thus, the section “Stop Waste of En- the products made by companies in technologies and equipment and the ergy” will present the up-to-date ap- Volgograd, Samara and Novgorod 4th national contest of welders will proaches to the use of local fuel types oblasts of the Russian Federation”. take place. Some 14 seminars and and combustible wastes at boiler- round tables for specialists will be houses and technological installations. held within the framework of the fo- Section “Energy Saving in Construc- 24/04/2008 rum. tion” will talk about energy efficient technologies and construction materi- Source: BelTA According to Aliaxandr Malaletau, als. ISSUE XXVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 8

Culture Beavis and Butthead from Belarus

operation of Mikhalok and Khatskevich. from Belarusian television screens. A direct result of too many limitations and A key secret of the duo’s success was the controls being imposed on them. Unlike language they used. Sasha and Sirozha most Belarusian artists in a similar situa- spoke “trasyanka”, which is a mix of tion, they didn’t go to Moscow. Instead, Belarusian and Russian, found practi- Khatskevich and Mikhalok headed cally everywhere in Belarus. The most straight to Kiev, where they began send- prominent person speaking “trasyanka” ing out promotional versions of their is president Lukashenka himself program to Ukrainian TV producers. As (although he will not admit this publi- a result, the major Ukrainian music TV cally). No wonder, the audience of the channel “M1” agreed to put “Sasha and state-owned “First Musical Channel” Sirozha” on air. “The first two months Having the flu is not a pleasant experien- nearly fell of its chairs at the first sounds were kind of sad – no one understood ce. You cough, your body aches, and you of Sasha and Sirozha. It seemed as if what this program was really all about”, have fever. However, if, despite all of they were mocking the president. How- says Aliaksey Khatskevich. Five months these sypmtoms, you can smile and make ever, the artists themselves continually later the “Sasha and Sirozha” talk show jokes, then your recovery is just around denied doing so, and for a good reason. became the most highly rated show of the corner. With multiple chronic ail- Indeed, their characters never criticized “M1”, having even surpassed “the Simp- ments, Belarus is a heavy patient. Still, or mocked the establishment directly. In sons” in popularity. In 2004, the Ukrain- our fellow Belarusians haven’t lost the fact, they appeared to be average Belaru- ian magazine “FHM” acknowledged ability to poke fun at themselves; whiсh sians. Sasha and Sirozha enojoуed simple them as the best entertainment program is a very good sign. things like baked potatoes stolen from a of the year. nearby field, a good strong drink and In 2002 the audience of the “First Music women. At the same time they wanted Nevertheless, after many successful Channel” (a Belarusian version of MTV) justice and better life. The duo attempted years as television stars, Khatskevich were surprised to see two weird charac- to make the world a better place, but in and Mikalok shut down their Ukrainian ters named “Sasha and Sirozha” appear trying so hard, it always resulted in vari- TV show in March 2007. They decided on their screen. In contrast with the ever- ous catastrophes. For example, having to put more effort into creating their own glamorous VJs, Sasha and Sirozha were heard about the campaign aimed at pro- television project http://www.sa- much more like clowns or tramps. The moting new technologies, Sasha and Si- si.tv/. Additionally both artists are now program was called “Kalyhanka dlia rozha decided to reorganize a local state- actively pursuing their own projects. daroslyh” (‘lullaby for grown-ups’). It owned pig farm. They substituted old “Lyapis Trubeskoy”, the band of Siarhey was a talk show-- in the sense that Sasha brutal methods of slaughter with brand- Mikhalok, recently won several prestig- and Sirozha did all the talking. Or, to put new psychological pressure. Instead of ious music awards for its music video it another way, talking was just about all using a knife, they drove pigs to commit “Capital”. The clip mocks the world’s they did. But – it was fun! They told suicide by influencing their sub con- dictators by showing them as glamorous funny, scary or simply weird goodnight sciousness with various tactics, including pop-culture icons. Aliaksandar Luka- stories, usually giving some absurd or video. The results were so good, that shenka also appears in the video, which provocative advice to their audience. On they decided to apply for a Nobel prize. resulted in the video being banned from one hand, these two strange dudes with It’s funny yet also horrible. You’ll never Belarusian television. Aliaksey Khatske- swollen noses, weird hats, and explicitly prove any direct relation between this vich is actively working as an artist – tasteless clothes were analogous to sketch and present-day Belarus, but you recently he organized a personal exhibi- MTV‘s “Beavis and Butthead”. On the will always be able to find the parallels, other hand, “Sasha and Sirozha” were not tion in Minsk. if you give it some thought. just doing stupid stuff, but creating politi- Meanwhile, “Sasha and Sirozha” con- cal and social satire, which associates No matter how brutal this may seem, tinue to exist – now on the first inde- them more with the popular American Sasha and Sirozha are not aggressive. pendent Belarusian satellite channel animated series “South Park”. They are natural-born losers, but their BelSAT. You can also find their comic attitude helps them to survive in this The persons behind the masks of Sasha strips in the Belarusian magazine crazy world. They have fun no matter and Sirozha were Aliaksey Khatskevich, “pARTisan” and in the internet-version what chaos is happening around them, free artist from Minsk, and Siarhey Mik- of the currently shutdown independent because of their laid back attitude. halok, frontman of “Lyapis Trubetskoy”, newspaper “Solidarity”. the rock-band, which had become tre- The show spent several months on the Sasha and Sirozha are still making fun of mendously popular in the post-soviet “First Music Channel” after which Sasha themselves and more importantly, still period. Several years ago Khatskevich and Sirozha moved to the First National show no signs of giving up. created a video clip to one of the songs TV Channel, which is a major source of by “Lyapis Trubetskoj”, which was the the state-produced information in Bela- By Ales Kudrytski for the ODB beginning of the long-lasting fruitful co- rus. In 2003 they suddenly disappeared ISSUE XXVI BELARUS HEADLINES PAGE 9

Culture Belarus’ Creative Opposition

Belarus is often called ‘Europe’s black Like kids everywhere else, hole’ and is best known for its dictator young Belarusians are crazy Alexander Lukashenka and the 1986 about the internet, fashion, Chernobyl Disaster. Indeed, with its music and popular culture. statues of Lenin, KGB, socialist realist But unlike in the West, buildings and collective farms, time where all of this is readily seems to have stopped in Belarus, available, in Belarus access where the is still alive. to anything independent But behind the country’s closed bor- is controlled by the au- ders, an exciting and vibrant youth thorities. Here, in the mid- scene is alive and well, producing dle of Europe, youth activ- alternative culture underground in- ists are arrested, impris- dorms, music clubs, informal groups, oned, expelled from univer- artistic communities and cyberspace. sities and fired from jobs. Independent terculture is alive and well in Belarus. schools have been closed down, youth When peaceful meetings are broken Most experts on Belarus write about NGOs dissolved, youth publications up, young activists stage flash mobs the country’s political or civic opposi- seized and alternative bands banned. and street performances that ridicule tion. Only a few articles have appeared The Lukashenka regime tries to control the absurdities of the government. on the cultural opposition. This is un- practically every aspect of youth life, When concerts are banned, youngsters fortunate, given the key role played by because it fears any free ideas, whether go to underground night clubs, to the creative opposition in many au- home-grown or from the West. A ‘state outdoor festivals and to neighbour- thoritarian countries. It is impossible, ideology’ course is taught during the ing countries to listen to their black- for example, to understand the revo- early school years and is compulsory listed bands. When there is no offi- lutions of 1989 without studying the for all first year undergraduates cially approved venue to show their impact of independent elite culture, (freshers). All state employees must works, young artists, photographers including Vaclav Havel’s plays, take a special ideology exam as a part and designers go to alternative art Adam Michnik’s essays, or Gaspar of the hiring procedures. A new regula- galleries and post their works online. Miklos Tamas’ philosophical tracts, tion requires that all college applicants Independent writers and journalists or alternative popular culture, like wanting to study journalism, interna- publish samizdat (underground) news- thepsychedelic rock of the Plastic tional relations and law, must obtain papers and magazines, create online People of the Universe in Czecho- letters of recommendation from their communities, and spread information slovakia and the anarchist local authorities. The Ministry of Cul- through blogs and home-made docu- ‘happenings’ of the Orange Alterna- ture decides what kind of music pri- mentary films and videos. ‘New tive in Poland. The Soviet bloc was vate FM radio stations should play media’ and street art are becoming full of underground rockers, writers, and the Ministry of Education sets the more and more popular in a country artists, poets, religious believers, official guidelines for youth fashion. that finds itself near the bottom of film-makers, environmentalists, hippies But, of course, the main decisions are every ranking of freedom of expres- and punks. They were important be- made by the President, who a couple of sion. cause, in the 1980s, many Central years ago ordered that only Belarusian Europeans were inspired by alterna- models should appear on advertising In the next issue we will present you tive culture to take up alternative billboards. some sketches of a few of the most politics, paving the way for political creative young people in Belarus. change. The authorities can try to restrict, What is unique about them is how impose, threaten and repress, but they are using culture to promote The same thing is happening today in they really can’t determine what activism among Belarus’ youth, who Belarus. One interesting difference is young people wear, listen to, read or are generally apathetic about politics. that the creative opposition in Belarus watch. As was the case with jazz in the Someday, they will be the leaders of a is largely made up of and driven by 1950s and jeans in the 1960s during the free and democratic Belarus in young people. This article is about a Soviet era, what is forbidden today in Europe. But today, they are making few young movers and shakers from the Belarus becomes even more fashion- “Europe’s last dictatorship” a much country’s cultural scene. Each is a dy- able and desirable. Young Belarusians more colourful and interesting place. namic, unique individual who is not are no different than other youth who afraid to be different. Together they respond to restrictions and regula- Text by Iryna Vidanava represent thousands of active and tions with creative forms of dissent. creative young Belarusians who, Photo by Andrei Liankevich unlike the government, love their Thanks to the regime, the youth coun- Source: Transitions online country and its unique culture.