Belarus Archives - Page 69 of 75 - Index on Censorship

PAST EVENT: Sir Tom Stoppard presents… Belarus Free Theatre

07 Jul 10 | Events

Banned in their native Belarus and renowned for staging uncensored performances underground, Belarus Free Theatre is a rare voice of dissent in Europe’s last dictatorship.

On Tuesday 13 July, Sir Tom Stoppard will introduce Natalia Koliada, and Nikolai Khalezin – directors of Belarus Free Theatre – and leading opposition figure Charter 97’s Andrei Sannikov.

The theatre company’s most recent London performances won widespread acclaim, but their fight for freedom and democracy continues as the situation worsens in Belarus. On 1 July, President Lukashenko brought in restrictive new internet laws intended to criminalise human rights and political activists who use the internet to organise opposition to the regime.

At the event, Index on Censorship will launch a campaign to draw attention to the state of free expression in Belarus. During the event we will ask you to give a 60-second message of support to the people of Belarus, which will be filmed and placed online.

7pm – 9pm, Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3GA
RSVP: bookings[AT]freewordonline.com 0207 324 2570

Reviews for the Belarus Free Theatre company:

“This dazzling production… shows a spiritual resilience that makes dictatorship look even more inflexible and absurd.” The Guardian *****

“As gripping and accomplished a piece of theatre as you’ll find in London this year… this is world class theatre, built on the raw guts of experience” The Telegraph *****

US extends sanctions against Belarus

The United States’ sanctions against Belarus have been extended for one year in the hope of pushing for democratic reform. A White House spokesman reported that the executive order stood in opposition to corruption, censorship and human rights abuses. Despite acknowledging the 2008 release of three political prisoners, the report emphasised that “serious challenges remain”.

Belarus: ‘Morality officials’ censor Elton John

The Belarusian “Public Council of Morality” have attempted to tone down any suggestion of homosexuality during Elton John’s imminent performance in Minsk. State officials have asked the singer’s management for early Elton albums to ensure that they are not “inconsistent with the law and morality”. Previous pride march attempts have been broken up by police in a state attempt to “prevent the promotion of homosexuality”.