Art exhibitions in Minsk, Hrodna censored

May 15, BPN. About 40 artworks were removed from the Art-Minsk 2022 exhibition at the Palace of Arts in Minsk on May 12, the opposition’s Belarusian Rada of Culture reported.

One of the participants, who wished to remain anonymous, told BPN that her collection of clothes was displayed only partially, despite being accepted in full: “They have left only the red dresses. The ones with white elements were removed.” The artist was not informed and the censorship was not explained.

The artists suggest that the Ministry of Culture may be involved. The works of such famous artists as Aliaksandr Belski and Hanna Silivončyk were removed from the exhibition.

Belski referred to the incident as “censorship.” On his Internet page, the artist had earlier posted a photo with Viktar Babaryka, an ex-banker and presidential hopeful, sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges of bribery and money laundering.

“Exhibitions in Belarus close before they even open, thanks to the efforts of vigilant citizens who care about arts. Control and strict supervision are everywhere,” Hanna Silivončyk wrote on Facebook.

The annual Art-Minsk exhibition is organized by the Republican Art Gallery in partnership with Belgazprombank, which was previously headed by Viktar Babaryka. The exhibition, which will run until June 12, was originally planned to display the works of 240 artists.

The Belarusian Rada of Culture also reported the closure of the exhibition of sculpture in Hrodna on April 29, a few hours after its opening “for technical reasons.” On May 12, the media learned that it would not reopen.

Hrodna.life reported that the exhibition closed after one of the visitors had complained about “anti-state remarks” by some of the artists, whose works were on display.