English

Opposition youths apply to Minsk government for permission to stage "Big Jeans Fest" on September 16

Youth opposition activists has filed an application for the Minsk city government for permission to stage a show called a "Big Jeans Fest" in Nations' Friendship Park (near Bangalore Square) on September 16.

As an organizer, Aleksandr Atroshchenko, told BelaPAN, the show would be in support of freedom, as Belarus' pro-democratic forces have adopted blue denim as a symbol of freedom and liberation.

The organizers would like to invite people to arrive at the square in front of the National Academy of Sciences at 4:30 p.m. and march from there to the park to attend the concert, which would begin at 6:00 p.m.

According to Mr. Atroshchenko, he would take part in the event to support all political prisoners in Belarus and display his solidarity with all those who have suffered from politically motivated persecution.

"No political slogans so far have been planned; people would just wear jeans," he said.

Opposition activists in Belarus have been observing a so-called Solidarity Day on the 16th date of each month since September 16, 2005, the 6th anniversary of the disappearance of opposition politician Viktor Gonchar and his friend, businessman Anatoly Krasovsky.