13.02.2012 19:59 Photos
In pictures: Blacklisted rocker Volski holds autograph session after his concert is cancelled
Belarusian rock icon Lyavon Volski held an autograph session outside Re:public on February 11 when he was due to play a concert at the club in Minsk.
The concert of the Belarusian rock band N.R.M. frontman’s side project Krambambulya was cancelled by the club administration a month after the tickets went on sale.
Fans gathered outside the club on Saturday to return the tickets. Some of them declined to take the money. “I think that it is normal to do such things to somehow support them,” said one of the fans.
Signing autographs on the hood of a car outside the club, Mr. Volski was inviting his fans to come to his show in neighboring Lithuania.
“You should rather ask the club administration why the concert was cancelled,” he said. “They did not cite the reasons. But we have an opportunity to play a gig in another country. We have even arranged for free Schengen visas for the viewers. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
“It is disappointing that the concert never took place. But at least I now have a poster. I will have something to recall,” said a man after having the poster signed by Mr. Volski.
Lyavon Volski is rumored to be on the Belarusian government's' blacklist of Belarusian and foreign musicians and cultural figures known for having spoken out for democratic change in Belarus and for the release of political prisoners. The list is reported to include some 30 individuals and 15 bands. Their concerts have been routinely cancelled this year under various pretexts.
Government officials dismiss the existence of the blacklist as a hoax.
The concert of the Belarusian rock band N.R.M. frontman’s side project Krambambulya was cancelled by the club administration a month after the tickets went on sale.
Fans gathered outside the club on Saturday to return the tickets. Some of them declined to take the money. “I think that it is normal to do such things to somehow support them,” said one of the fans.
Signing autographs on the hood of a car outside the club, Mr. Volski was inviting his fans to come to his show in neighboring Lithuania.
“You should rather ask the club administration why the concert was cancelled,” he said. “They did not cite the reasons. But we have an opportunity to play a gig in another country. We have even arranged for free Schengen visas for the viewers. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
“It is disappointing that the concert never took place. But at least I now have a poster. I will have something to recall,” said a man after having the poster signed by Mr. Volski.
Lyavon Volski is rumored to be on the Belarusian government's' blacklist of Belarusian and foreign musicians and cultural figures known for having spoken out for democratic change in Belarus and for the release of political prisoners. The list is reported to include some 30 individuals and 15 bands. Their concerts have been routinely cancelled this year under various pretexts.
Government officials dismiss the existence of the blacklist as a hoax.
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