How do famous people in Belarus celebrate Freedom Day?

The opposition parties in Belarus have proposed to mark the Freedom Day on March 25 with a demonstration, while Belarusian communities abroad prefer festivities and discussions. The European Radio for Belarus has asked how famous people in Belarus are going to celebrate this year's anniversary of the Belarusian People's Republic.

Artist Ales Pushkin promises to stage an exhibition of his new pieces in the center of village of Bobr. He will also continue painting his famous piece The Picture of Freedom that he has been trying to finish for 20 years. However, ordinary people in Bobr usually try to avoid him. Only children, drunkards and people with convictions do not fear Ales Pushkin.

Ales Pushkin: “I am standing for the whole day. People come, get provoked and ask: "What's up with you?". I say: "Freedom Day, the picture of Freedom for the future, for a museum". Duscussions begin, while policemen are on standby. In the evening I will take everything back to my workshop and will celebrate with the wife. We will have a drink and eat an onion pie which has an incription of 92nd aniversary of the Belarusian People's Republic.

Singer Kasya Kamotskaya will visit people's poet Ryhor Baradulin in order to show him a film about him. Later, she will drop by the Academy of Sciences where demonstrators will gather. 

Kasya Kamotskaya: “I will visit friends and will go to the Academy of Sciences. Later in the evening, there will be a party. I think there will be no time to cook something special, so we will limit ourselves to some cheese and cogniac. Friends will come.

The Toobes frontman Stas Lamakin told Euroradio that he will congratulate those who mark the Freedom Day with pleasure. But he himself never celebrates Freedom Day. 

Stas Lamakin: “I don't like demonstrations. I am quiet about holidays. I do not mark birthday and the New Year”.

Musician Lyavon Volski will not participate in the opposition demonstration, either. He says his personal contribution to this year's Freedom Day was his first serious solo album titled The White Appletree of the Thunder. It was launched on March 23 in the Kupala National Theater. "I don't see any adequate celebration program. To meet near the Academy of Sciences and to do what later? I propose those who have money to go to a pub and celebrate with fun and noise", he says.