Scanlan: I do not want to get to a country that would need such a festival
Chargé d' Affaires ad interim of the United States Michael Scanlan has been seen off with a concert of blacklisted musicians.
Michael Scanlan's last festival "Ambasowiszcza" was about singing, dancing, hugging and bidding farewell. "A reception dedicated to the freedom of expression" - this is how representatives of the Embassy call it this year. The invited musicians, literati, artists and journalists call it "a festival of meetings".
The American Embassy used to organize the festival in August - after the Festival of Youth Music of Belarus "Basowiszcza" in Poland. However, Michael Scalan will leave Belarus before August. That is why the event was appointed for July 11. Its name was changed, but the format remained the same.
Michael Scanlan
Veranіka Kruhlova (on the left)
Band "Palats"
Aleh Hamenka, "Palats"
Band "Krama" (not everyone)
Alyaksandr Pamіdorau
Syarzhuk Truhanovіch and Іhar Varashkevіch
Uladzіmіr Arlou, Genadz Buraukіn, Alyaksandr Fyaduta
Uladzіmіr Puhach, his wife Alena Bartlava, Kasya Kamotskaya
Zmіtser Vaitsyushkevіch and his song to Henadz Buraukin's verse:
Alyaksandr Kulіnkovіch "Neuro Dubel"
Euroradio: You are going to leave Belarus soon, will the tradition of organizing the event be kept?
Michael Scanlan: “I do hope that there will be no need to organize such an event. I thought that the festival that was organized when I replaced my predecessor in Belarus several years ago would be the last one. We saw symptoms of liberalization in 2012, the beginning of political and economic reforms. Unfortunately, we saw everything finish in December 2010. We understood that the event was necessary because the life of creative people had not improved. But I am hoping that this is the last event and that all these musicians and artists will be able to take part in the life of the society without any restrictions next year, that Belarusian people will be able to enjoy their work just like we and all our guests have enjoyed the today's event".
Euroradio: Would you like to organize a similar event at your new place of work?
Michael Scanlan: “I have been working abroad for many years. It is time I returned to America to work there. The work will be be bit different. To tell you the truth, I am hoping that I will never get to a country that would need such an event - when people have to come to the American Embassy to show their talent because they cannot do it in their country. Every country should cherish its main wealth - its people and its talent. It should support and do everything to make talent work for the good of people and the society".
People from different cities, and of various professions felt like close friends at the festival. Aleh Hamenka joined Alyaksandr Kulinkovich in singing, Veranika Kruhlova and Pit Paulau danced to "Krama", Alyaksandr Fyaduta listened to Henadz Buraukin attentively. Besides the warmth of the meeting with friends, everyone brought a present from "Rock Solidarity" home - a CD of "General of Home Rock".
Photo by: Zmitser Lukashuk
