English

US embassy hosts sixth Ambasovishcha festival

Belarusian rock bands and a US ska and reggae band as a special guest played a live show on Tuesday at the US ambassador's residence in Rawbichy, a village some 10 miles north of Minsk, BelaPAN reports.

That was the sixth such festival, which is called Ambasovishcha, a blend of "ambasada," which means embassy in Belarusian, and "Basoviszcza," an annual Belarusian rock music festival held in Poland.

The festival featured Belarusian bands Kalmary, Khutki Smowzh, Dali, Bosaye Sontsa, Naka and "Ў", as well as the United States' The Bishops.

US Charge d’Affaires Michael Scanlan announced that it was unclear whether the festival would take place at the same venue next year. The US diplomatic mission plans to release the residence soon as the United States has not had an ambassador in Belarus since 2008.

Ms. Scanlan described the festival as "very important" and said that all of the performances were "amazing."
The diplomat expressed hope that the event would be held in 2011.