2008 Programs and Events

U.S. Embassy Hosts "Ambasovishcha" Festival

Charge d’Affaires, Jonathan Moore, presentsan award to the Kalmary group - the winners of the festival

Embassy Minsk hosted the fourth annual open-air concert of Belarusian rock and folk bands at the Ambassador’s residence in celebration of Belarusian music and freedom of expression. Upon listening to well known groups and up-and-coming bands, about two hundred guests voted to choose an audience favorite —the band Kalmary from the town of Beryoza. Ambasovishcha continues to be viewed by the cultural community of Belarus, in the words of one guest, as “the only event of such scale, at which young bands can be heard and noticed.” Stacey Fox’s trio – the first ever American musicians to visit expressly to participate in the festival - incorporated big drum Native American sounds as well as Inuit and Tibetan influences, providing a unique treat for the audience. For the first time in its history, Ambasovishcha greatly expanded its audience using live feeds by two major Belarusian internet radio stations and a Polish-based Belarusian TV service, BelSat. This event provided an infusion of hope for the Embassy’s ongoing relations with the cultural and alumni community in Belarus as well as demonstrated the Embassy’s commitment to supporting the freedom to express one’s artistic and political beliefs. This event serves to proliferate a positive example of how the USG puts its ideals into action in support of Belarusian people.