Belarusian Internet stars: We do not get anything for it!

 Several videos made by the family duet "Zoya and Valera" have been watched more than a million times on the Internet. The number of fans keeps increasing. The cover version of Yelena Vayenga's "I'm smoking" is the most popular (over 500 thousands views). The secret of their success is in sincere emotions.

Sofia and Valery Barysyuk live in Zarechcha village, Byaroza District.

“Sofia worked as a livestock breeder and a field crop grower all her life. She is a pensioner now. They have sung at all singing and family art festivals in Belarus," Byaroza District Executive Committee is promoting the stars.

We phoned Valery Barysyuk and he agreed to give an interview with delight. We were interested in the repertoire of "Zoya and Valera" (only 5 songs can be found on the Internet).

Valery Barysyuk: We sing Belarusian and Ukrainian people's songs and Russian songs.

Euroradio: Do you feel your popularity?

Valery Barysyuk: My sister and I do not feel what is going on. We keep singing as we have always done.  

Euroradio: When was your duet created?

Valery Barysyuk: Seven years ago. We have been singing with her since I arrived in Belarus from Russia.

Euroradio: What musical instruments do you play?

Valery Barysyuk: Accordion and button accordion.

Euroradio: What about the guitar? There is a photo of you holding a  guitar on the Internet.

Valery Barysyuk: They asked me: "Take a guitar and we will take a picture." I used to play the guitar in an folk group about 20 years ago. I do not approach it now. But I remember how to play it.

 Euroradio: Are you amateurs or did you graduate from a musical college or conservatoire?

Valery Barysyuk: We are amateurs.

 Euroradio: What do you do?

Valery Barysyuk: I am a turner at "Tseplaprylada". I am 57.

Euroradio: Did any producers contact you? Were you offered money for your performances?

Valery Barysyuk: Never. We have a Russian producer from Rybinsk. He is asking us to upload more songs. And that's it.

Euroradio: Does he pay you?

Valery Barysyuk: He doesn't. We do not understand it - everyone wants something from us and we get nothing for it.

Euroradio: Would you like to become artists in order to give more performances and make money?

Valery Barysyuk: Of course we would. We just need good health. It would be wonderful! We have written 25 songs. My sister writes them and I play. We could sing one of them. But health is essential - my sister is 10 years older then me. But the age of 67 years is not too much."

Euroradio: Do you know Alyona Lanskaya who will represent Belarus at Eurovision?

Valery Barysyuk: I may have seen her but I did not know that it was Lanskaya.

Euroradio: Do you like any Belarusian artists?

Valery Barysyuk: Goodness! We like "Syabry, "Pesnyary" and "Beseda".

Euroradio: Can people listen to you somewhere besides the Internet? Where do you give concerts?

Valery Barysyuk: We performed at the Invalids Day last weakened. We are laureates and award winners of district and regional contests.

Euroradio: Do you have any rivals in Byaroza District or in Brest Province?

Valery Barysyuk: We have and they are old too. There are two brothers from Byaroza District. They are cool and they sing very well. We have a lot of talented people here.

Ruslan Sulimovski, producer of famous singer Yelena Vayenga, paid attention to the videos more than a  month ago but did not manage to contact "Zoya and Valera". He has asked us to give him their phone number. Maybe the duet's career will get a new development...

Photos from Byaroza District Executive Committee archive