"Tired of endure all this"

The ongoing street protests in Belarus, accompanying the presidential elections, differ in the previously invisible involvement of Belarusian musicians-from large stars to indie college . Some of them spoke metaphorically, writing down songs about freedom and changes before the election. Others made direct political statements in social networks, participated in the rallies of opposition candidates and continue to go out on the streets with other protesters, risking a lot. We asked to explain why there was a surge of civil activity in Belarus, a music manager, expert on modern Belarusian music by Dmitry Bezkorovaya and the artists themselves, who released the songs of the protest this summer, - the muds of the group "Mud", Naviband, Nizkiz, "Give Daroga!", "Mors" and Tor Band.

Dmitry Bezkova

1. To the events in the country around the presidential elections, very many and very different Belarusian musicians reacted vividly and in a single impulse. Why right now, not 5, 10 or 15 years ago?

On the one hand, this time there were really strong, fresh and diverse candidates, some with a significant capital of previous merits. On the other hand, the authorities have repeatedly crossed the critical line in relations with society. I will explain the second point in more detail.

It all started in the spring with absolutely inadequate and at the same time a high -frequency reaction to Covid -19 , which gave rise to many memes around the world. Anything was said: that there are few cases, and only chronicles die because of other diseases, and doctors have everything necessary. But in fact, everyone knew that there were many sick people, quite healthy people die, some cities are closing, doctors have no PPE, so everyone threw away, volunteers transported around the country.

But the moment of detonation precisely in the framework of the election campaign was the brutal detention of people after the arrest of Viktor Babariko and the beating of the queue at the Symbal store . by . When they grabbed everyone in a row, they read in court the readings of OMON representatives written under a copy and did not take into account any videos showing that everything was completely different. At this moment, it became clear that silent means to support and justify all this. At the same time, it was very helpful to attract an additional audience that the headquarters of the leading candidates, who then turned into the United headquarters of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, always insisted only on legal and peaceful ways of influence on the situation.

For some, it was a cumulative effect in the key “how much can you?”, For some-the first awareness of the reverse side of “Belarusian stability”. Someone spoke out on social networks, someone released a song that, to one degree or another, responding to election events and expectations, someone spoke at the rallies of Tikhanovskaya. At the final rally in Minsk, artists as Nizkiz , “ J : Morse”, Lyavon Volsky were to perform in Belarus, but he was canceled a couple of days before. They were frightened, because in the previous one, according to various estimates, from 35 to 60 thousand gathered, although there were, in fact, popular artists there. And there would be even more.

At the last moment, the authorities tried to additionally level the story with Tikhanovskaya concerts with the help of “festive concerts” in all cities of Belarus the day before the elections with the participation of Russian and Ukrainian stars, plus a hip-hop festival with the participation of American rappers Saint JHN and Tyga was supposed to be held in Minsk. But the Belarusians fell asleep them all in social networks with the reports that this is a policy and pro -presidential history, as a result of which all events were canceled.

2. How are the musicians unanimously tuned against Lukashenko? Are there those who have taken the opposite position?

This time, the level of public confrontation between the authorities by musicians and other public people than ever high. Those who have never spoke on these topics publicly spoke out. Moreover, in other areas - including traditionally very “state” and therefore very “presidential”, such as sport - absolutely similar.

At the same time, there is some part of the “populists”, which is still silent. But in order to openly support the president as part of the elections - in fact, no one. Alexander Solodukha-a long-term -meme from the Belarusian stage-stood next to the president on Independence Day on July 3, but I do not remember that he directly campaigned for him. In the proxies of the president, there was singer Julia Bykova ( Aura group), but at best this is the middle link of a very weak wind-state Belarusian stage, she and the president with the youngest son once publicly performed some time ago.

Even the traditional song in support of the president was recorded only by the comic vocalist-bocalist Vitaly Voronko, an eternal participant in the TV competitions of talents. By the way, it was during his performance at the State Meding that this story occurred with the inclusion of the song “Cinema” “Changes” .

3. What can the manifestation of a civil position cost to musicians?

They can be deprived of the opportunity to play concerts in Belarus for several years. Moreover, for the vast majority of musicians, this is the main market. All this is unofficial, of course, but absolutely real.

In Belarus, there were already two waves of prohibitions for musicians who somehow went against the authorities. The first-from 2004 to 2007 for all participants in the opposition concert for the 10th anniversary of Lukashenko's reign. The second- since 2011 : from two years for those who simply did not publicly agree with the official interpretation of events in Independence Square (acceleration of peaceful protest vs riots), up to five to six years for those who have been guilty, according to the authorities, are stronger.

What is to "goofer"? For example, to be a confidant of an opposition candidate, as a serpentine Voytyushkevich. Or release a song with provocative content and give a sharp interview personally to Lukashenko, as it was with the Lapis Trubetskoy (the song was called “Gray” ).

Plus, on the radio and TV, the unofficial circular will be distracted so that they do not put and do not call on the air. But the latter with the development of the Internet is not so scary. But concerts - yes, it hurts.

4. Is it possible to compare the current situation in Belarus with perestroika and Russian rock in terms of similar mood in society - or is this comparison attracted by the ears?

It is difficult to answer this question. On the one hand, this situation is the direct legacy of the Soviet Union and therefore echoes. Nevertheless, one thing is an iron curtain, another is an authoritarian country from which you can always leave, where you can listen to any music where you can communicate with the whole world, where you can at some level-say, in social networks, in the media-criticize power. What is happening now, of course, is bad, and in recent days it is even terrible, but still there is a difference between the USSR and Belarus.

However, if we compare, then, unlike those times, there is no binding to specific style. Although this can be explained by the fact that then rock music was almost the only understandable music, an alternative stage. And now the stylistic choice of independent music is greater.

And the artists here are already in many ways known, performing on scenes often large, and not underground, as it was during the time of the USSR. That is, the Soviet (namely Soviet, even if later turned into Russian), thanks to perestroika, received an exit to the stage (and it was, in fact, its only chance, even though it is clear that the artists did not think about it), and then the artists were already public, their existence does not depend on the change of power, but they are ready to go on opposition. Moreover, it is risking in some cases of his prevailing career. Although it is clear that in the USSR, musicians generally risked to please in prison.

5. In recent years, the music of Belarus is on the rise: many artists are heard in Russia, and some manage to break through to the Western viewer. What is it connected with and can today's events give a new powerful impulse?

It seems to me that in general, the world becomes more open and multipolar. Thanks to social networks and digital distribution, borders are being erased more and more, free access to the audience around the world appears. As a result, the success of the artists does not depend on the producer, not on the amount of money behind their backs, not on the infrastructure of labels - with all these points in Belarus there were always problems - but from the creative product and constant work, which is available to everyone. Yes, there is a lot of music in the world than ever, it is very difficult to stand out, but everyone now has a chance. What is confirmed by the stories of "silent at home" , Intelligence and many others.

Denis Astapov, "Dirt"

“Dirt” is a rap rock group from Mogilev, founded back in 2011 by Denis Astapov and Roman Sascheko (Roma British), a beadmaker and a member of the most popular rap project “LSP”. After the death of Roma in 2017, Denis revived the group, released several albums well accepted in Belarus and in Russia. Earlier, in his work of politics, Denis practically did not concern, but before the presidential elections, the “mud” recorded the track “Changes”.

1. What prompted you to write a protest song?

Tired of enduring all this.

In the midst of Pandemia, we were left alone, the state, instead of helping people, simply left them, saying that the virus is a myth, and people at that moment died, real people. Why then such a state, if it cannot protect people? Scare on TV with executions? Sit for the included song Tsoi for 10 days?

They simply consider people to be cattle, cattle who can hang any noodles on their ears - an external enemy, the provocations of the West, but we listened and believed in them all our lives, and the reality turned out to be completely different. And so I turned to our president as my father, whom he knew from birth: a loving dad with his children will not do this. Everyone wants changes ...

You will not close from the song in the office, it is everywhere.

2. Are the songs able to change something in the established political and social circumstances?

The songs cannot change anything, but, as they say, we help to build and live, and I want people to hear that they are not alone, I want our president to hear this song. We do not want war, we want us to hear us, we want to live in our country and not be afraid for ourselves and our loved ones. None of them are interested in my opinion, I will not listen to me as an ordinary citizen, and you will not close from the song in the office, it is everywhere.

3. From the side it seems that the events that took place forced the majority of musicians from Belarus. Is it so? Or are there those who are silent?

Of course, there is: if you have something to lose - concerts, stadiums - you are silent. But will you like this stadium when you know that people are clogged under your windows, they are bleeding for your future, and you are preparing a new show? All my friends from Belarus, one way or another, designated their position, and I am proud of them, although many have something to lose.

4. Do you recognize the results of the elections? Do you take part in street protests against falsification?

I went to vote in St. Petersburg. The line stood in the early morning, there were so many people that they loomed around the embassy several times, strangers brought water and food to the same strangers. The line did not advance at all, there was only one voting cabin, and at eight o’clock the site was closed, thousands of people did not cast their votes (including me), and after five minutes there were already results, an amazing count of counting: for the whole day - only 300 voted. They just spat in the face, our voices mean nothing - as in Moscow, as in other cities where the vote took place.

I do not recognize such a result and take part in protests against this bullying.

Everyone will continue to lie, they will beat everyone further, but we will not endure.

5. What scenario of the development of events in the country would be perfect for you, and which you consider the most likely?

It would be ideal for me, as well as all of us, to hold honest elections where people themselves will decide their fate: after all, this is our life and our country, we want to decide how to live. They scare that it will be bad - let it be bad, but we made this choice ourselves, worse than now, will no longer be, even if there is no one.

And it is likely that everyone will continue to lie, they will beat everyone further, but we will not tolerate anymore.

Artem Lukyanenko, Naviband

Naviband is a popular in Belarus Indi-Folk-College, once represented by the Russian listener Evgeny Grishkovts , participants in Eurovision 2017 . They did not make political statements before - on the contrary, the group participated both in state events and in “opposition” in the composition of festivals, but the musicians responded to the current agenda by the acoustic ballad “Inschimi”.

1. What prompted you to write a protest song?

Often songs appear at the right time in the right place. We cannot fully explain how it arose. There was no task. She wrote, we released, hit. It has some necessary anguish and words.

2. Are the songs able to change something in the established political and social circumstances?

Rather, inspire someone to create something else beautiful. This is as part of the necessary puzzle. A person always needs spiritual support. Without this, no way.

3. From the side it seems that the events that took place forced the majority of musicians from Belarus. Is it so? Or are there those who are silent?

In general, yes. Many many to the best of their strengths and abilities released something, removed, wrote. Everyone as he knew how. Definitely a lot of sincere and very beautiful.

4. Do you recognize the results of the elections? Do you take part in street protests against falsification?

We had never had a relationship with politics before. But now it is part of the life of every Belarusian. It is simply impossible to be apolitical. Obviously, not everything is purely with the calculation of the votes, and the numbers that people show people have nothing to do with the truth. The street is now dangerous. The authorities use too much violence and cruelty. We are definitely against this.

5. What scenario of the development of events in the country would be perfect for you, and which you consider the most likely?

We have a wonderful country and people who are definitely worthy of more. If we talk about development and some progress in various fields, then, of course, people in the field, in power, should change. This is fine. But now the situation is too complicated. Everything happens at an accelerated pace. Therefore, to predict what will be, we think, is still impossible.

Alexander Ilyin, Nizkiz

Nizkiz is the most dynamically developing rock band in Belarus at the moment. Over the past couple of years, she greatly added in popularity and in the winter gathered the Falcon Club Arena hall for 4,000 people. In fact, the group adheres to near-optical views-a couple of years ago she performed on the 100th anniversary of the BNR (Belarusian People's Republic), and the song “Rights” came out in the late June as well as supporting the protesters on the streets.

1. What prompted you to write a protest song?

The desire to somehow draw people's attention to the fact that there are simple human and civilized rules: when honest elections are a norm when the president is not in power than it is by world standards (this is verified in developed countries), when the ability to freely express his opinion is a rule, not a privilege.

2. Are the songs able to change something in the established political and social circumstances?

I would like to believe that they are capable. Songs released in recent months in Belarus do not call on barricades, but rather are a peaceful unifying tool.

3. From the side it seems that the events that took place forced the majority of musicians from Belarus. Is it so? Or are there those who are silent?

Most of the musicians, actors and many other people of different professions have expressed very clearly and boldly about what is happening in the country. How, and most importantly, why right now to change the course of the republic.

4. Do you recognize the results of the elections? Do you take part in street protests against falsification?

Definitely such elections are simply impossible to admit. Even in the most backward countries of Africa, more than 43% of the population did not come to early voting. What this is talking about, I think, and so it is clear to everyone.

5. What scenario of the development of events in the country would be perfect for you, and which you consider the most likely?

It would be ideal to zero the results of this “vote” and the holding of new, open and honest elections with all candidates. So that people, and not intimidated members of the commissions, decide the fate of the country. I think that not everything has been decided at this stage with the current elections. The authorities are trying in every possible way to protect the population from information about what is happening in different regions of Belarus, drowning out the Internet, but the people find options to keep abreast. This is evidenced by an increasing number of people who go to protests. There are those who are silent, but this does not mean that they support the current government.

Yuri Obelsky, "Give me Darogu!"

"Give me Daroga!" -A popular punk group , stably collecting full halls at solo concerts and participating in all major festivals of Belarus. The musicians of the group have repeatedly spoke out on political topics, and the group itself fell under the ban in their native Brest. Мимо ситуации с президентскими выборами «ДД» пройти не могли и выпустили песню «Баю-бай» .

1. Что вас побудило написать протестную песню?

Песня «Баю-бай» — не первая в нашем творчестве, посвященная всему этому п∗∗децу, что происходит у нас в стране. Посмотрите на YouTube песню «10 миллионов рабов» с нарезкой из событий 2017 года в Белоруссии.

Песня «Баю-бай» родилась из событий, которые начали происходить в период предвыборной кампании 2020 года. Нам удалось быстро ее записать и сделать клип. Получился сингл к новому альбому. Альбом мы планируем выпустить в августе, как только в Белоруссии включат интернет.

Мы не признаем эти выборы. Они полностью фальсифицированы.

2. Способны ли песни что-то изменить в сложившихся политических и социальных обстоятельствах?

Песня может воодушевить людей, придать им энергию и импульс. Стать саундтреком событий или даже гимном, как песня Виктора Цоя «Перемен».

3. Со стороны кажется, что происходящие события заставили высказаться большинство музыкантов из Белоруссии. Is it so? Или есть и те, кто отмолчался?

Возможно, тот, кто промолчал, выскажется позже, когда появится интернет в стране. Уже можно легко собрать двойной диск с песнями лета-2020 в Белоруссии.

4. Вы признаете результаты выборов? Принимаете ли участие в уличных протестах против фальсификации?

Мы не признаем эти выборы. Они полностью фальсифицированы. Участники «Дай дарогу!» и наши близкие друзья принимают участие в мирных акциях протеста против фальсификации выборов в Белоруссии.

Зная, как в Кремле любят копировать белорусские сценарии, можно предположить, что и Россия пойдет по такому же пути.

5. Какой сценарий развития событий в стране был бы для вас идеальным, а какой вы считаете наиболее вероятным?

Идеальный вариант развития событий — это честные, прозрачные выборы...

А наиболее вероятный сценарий развивается на наших глазах. Физическое устранение всех несогласных и вышедших на улицу людей по всей стране...

P.​ S.​ Зная, как в Кремле любят копировать белорусские сценарии, можно предположить, что и Россия пойдет по такому же пути.

Владимир Пугач, «J:Морс»

«J:Морс» — одна из самых популярных и уважаемых белорусских рок-групп , отметившая в прошлом году 20-летие . До этого момента группа держала нейтралитет, отказываясь играть и выступать как за альтернативных кандидатов, так и за президента (за что пару раз попадала под запрет). В начале августа лидер «J:Морс» Владимир Пугач записал проникновенный гимн «Дыхаем зноў» совместно с Лявоном Вольским, еще одним авторитетным белорусским музыкантом, одним из создателей группы NRM и лидером группы «Крамбамбуля» .

1. Что вас побудило написать протестную песню?

У меня песни всегда придумываются совершенно хаотично, без привязки к окружающей действительности. Я вообще не очень люблю аудиодайджесты: утром в газете — вечером в куплете. Но в этот раз все иначе. До сих пор ситуация в стране не трогала меня настолько сильно, как этим летом. Сейчас, наверное, достигнут болевой порог. Песня о том, что все будет хорошо. Просто захотелось поверить в это самому и убедить других.

2. Способны ли песни что-то изменить в сложившихся политических и социальных обстоятельствах?

Песни (в моем понимании) — ни в коем случае не инструмент политической борьбы. Но людям всегда нужны символы, что-то, что явилось бы маркером единодушия, знаком солидарности. Искусство, музыка могут являться таким цементом.

Сейчас, наверное, достигнут болевой порог.

3. Со стороны кажется, что происходящие события заставили высказаться большинство музыкантов из Белоруссии. Is it so? Или есть и те, кто отмолчался?

Многие музыканты и другие деятели культуры высказались. От одних это было ожидаемо, другие удивили. Людей с активной позицией становится все больше! Это отличительный признак этого электорального периода. При этом я считаю, что никто никому ничего не должен. В сложившейся ситуации каждый должен сам принимать решение, что ему говорить и говорить ли вообще. Это не соревнование, кто крепче родину любит.

4. Вы признаете результаты выборов? Принимаете ли участие в уличных протестах против фальсификации?

Предварительные результаты мне известны, они удручают своей абсурдностью и нелепостью. Конечно, выходил в город с народом, но в открытых столкновениях не участвовал.

5. Какой сценарий развития событий в стране был бы для вас идеальным, а какой вы считаете наиболее вероятным?

Идеальный — прозрачная работа политических институтов, приводящая к честным результатам на выборах.

Реальный — глубокий политический и экономический кризис в стране.

Дмитрий Головач, TOR BAND

TOR BAND — группа из Рогачева, самый молодой коллектив в этом списке, исполняет тяжелый рок. О себе они говорят, что «играют честное музло»: это вполне применимо и к треку «Жыве».

1. Что вас побудило написать протестную песню?

Большинство людей ищет в этой песне политический подтекст, но там его нет. Это патриотическая песня, посвященная честным гражданам нашей страны, которые любят свою родину не за что-то, а вопреки. Это песня для тех, для кого слова «родина» и «мама» неразделимы.

2. Способны ли песни что-то изменить в сложившихся политических и социальных обстоятельствах?

Мы не можем дать точный ответ, подобного опыта наша страна не переживала, но песни позволяют нам чувствовать себя единым народом. Мы — мирный народ, то, что сейчас происходит, для нас дикость. Никогда не думали, что в 2020 году белорусы будут избивать белорусов.

3. Со стороны кажется, что происходящие события заставили высказаться большинство музыкантов из Белоруссии. Is it so? Или есть и те, кто отмолчался?

Многие высказались, но многие отмолчались. Отмолчались те, для кого музыка — это хлеб, и их можно понять. Наш народ, кстати, отличается тем, что мы многое можем понять и принять. Возможно, даже и простить.

Мы не хотим памятников, где будет написано, как белорусы расправлялись с белорусами. Это просто недопустимо.

4. Вы признаете результаты выборов? Принимаете ли участие в уличных протестах против фальсификации?

Мы не то чтобы не признаем — мы удивлены такому высокому проценту, который получила действующая власть. Именно это все и вызвало в людях недовольство. Думаю, если бы цифры были иные, народный гнев был бы не таким. В том городе, в котором живем мы, никаких акций протеста не происходит. Негодование людей — в крупных городах, в провинции все очень тихо.

5. Какой сценарий развития событий в стране был бы для вас идеальным, а какой вы считаете наиболее вероятным?

Идеального сценария уже не будет. Alas. Мы не сторонники насилия, как раз таки наши методы протеста были мирными, но, пока сила на стороне власти, очевидно, что перевес в ее сторону. Надеюсь, что белорусы себя покажут умными людьми и найдут другие формы выражения для достижения собственных целей. В конце концов, ситуация абсурда в том, что нас метелят те, кого кормим мы. Это равносильно тому, чтобы держать дома животное, которое ты кормишь, а оно на тебя постоянно нападает. Даже в природе тот, кто кормит, становится на вершину иерархии отношений. Просто об этом кое-кто позабыл. А может, и не знал. Ждем мира, нам достаточно памятников по стране после Второй мировой и историй, которые передавали нам дедушки и бабушки. Мы не хотим памятников, где будет написано, как белорусы расправлялись с белорусами. Это просто недопустимо.