programs and events

U.S. Embassy Hosts "Ambasovishcha" Music Festival

Band Vodar Susviet

For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Embassy on September 12th hosted an open-air concert of Belarusian rock and folk bands at the Ambassador's residence in Raubichi, a recreation area 15 kilometers north of Minsk. This special event gathered musicians of diverse genres to perform in front of members of the Belarusian music community, journalists and a wider audience of foreign diplomats and the USG alumni community. All musicians agreed that this Embassy-sponsored event, named "Ambasovishcha" after the Belarusian music festival "Basovishcha" held in Poland each year, provides them an opportunity to perform and be heard, a luxury rarely enjoyed these days by many of them due to radio and performance bans in Belarus. The "Ambasovishcha" concert has thus become a celebration of the freedom of artistic expression and has provided musicians an opportunity to mix with the diplomatic community, music journalists, and industry professionals.

Already in its second year, the event has become more of a full-scale music festival. A master of ceremonies presided and a public vote by the audience determined this year's winning "fan favorite" band. In all, sixteen bands and solo artists were represented, each performing two or three of their favorite songs. Along with well-established and revered Belarusian performers, the Embassy invited several young and up-and-coming bands, including those from other oblast centers.