“Everlasting Jazz” at the National Library of Belarus

Charge d’Affaires Michael Scanlan with jazz musicians from Kopyl

Over a hundred of musical students, musicians, critics and musical lovers gathered to honor jazz at the  National Library of Belarus for the “Everlasting Jazz” program on October 19.

The joint project between the National Library and the U.S. Embassy received extensive press coverage by Belarusian National CTV channel and other electronic media, including the state BelTA and non-state Belapan news agencies. “Today's event exemplifies what cultural diplomacy and partnership should be about. The understanding and appreciation of jazz is integral to understanding and appreciating American history and culture, as jazz is an outstanding example of individual expression, and democratic expression as well.  It gives me a great pleasure to announce that we were able to enrich the National Library’s as well as provide the gateway to the users of the Library collection to the world’s biggest music resource” said CDA Michael Scanlan while donating to the National Library the annual subscription to the on-line database “International Index to Music Periodicals” and opening of the “Louis Armstrong” poster show.
 
The National Library Director Roman Motulski noted that the “Everlasting Jazz” musical evening is just one in a series of successful joint projects of the National Library of Belarus and the U.S. Embassy.  He expressed confidence that today's event would be an outstanding event for all those who truly love jazz, and that the donated Index would ensure that lovers of music throughout the country could explore the history and variety of America's rich musical history.
 
During the jazz event, the guests enjoyed live jazz by the Kopyl Children’s School of Arts orchestra and young musicians from the «Novy Mir» (The New World) group.