The reputed blacklists of Belorussian musicians and bands are still in function, but… there are ways to get around them.
Lavon Volskis blacklisted band Krambambulya wanted to launch their new album ‘Drabadzi-Drabada’ with a live concert in Minsk but were refused permission to perform.
Then Lavon Volski and Krambambulya made a deal with the Lithuaninan embassy to organize three concerts in Vilnius on 28, 29 and 30 April 2012. Belorussians who travel to one of the concerts obtain a free visa.
“We have requests from all over Belarus. It shows that there is a great demand for this kind of music which unfortunately cannot prove its qualities in our country,” told concert manager Vladimir Shablinsky.
Lavon Volski, leader of the group, said: "With the new album we wanted to bring some European music and culture to Belarus. Now we have to take it to Europe and bring Belorussians there. Belarus is still isolated and a lot of people have never been to another country. But we will work hard to build a bridge between Europe and our country.”
“It will be a real historic event,” wrote Freemuse’s source in Belarus.
