12 September 2020, 18:53 | Aksana Krasouskaya, Onliner
Minsk is sinking gently into a relaxed evening. The women’s march, City Day (if we could even call it as such), and even agricultural fairs are left behind. It’s time to take a breath and spend time with loved ones. That is exactly what Uruchcha residents did today: they gathered near the new city symbol – the white-red-white dragon on Rusiyanava street. It turned into a spontaneous picnic, complete with music and a creative photo booth.
New light projections on buildings
Minsk citizens continue experimenting with light projections on buildings. And if earlier “performances” had been restricted to the white-red-white flag or [pahonia traditional] coat of arms, the current “pallette” is much broader. Building walls now feature new flags of various Minsk neighborhoods, images of Maria Kalesnikava, and even of Yury Korzun – the miner who handcuffed himself to the mine [in protest earlier this month].
The heart of Surhanava Street
The residents of Peremen Square became the first who began to show a beating heart in the courtyard of their building. Today, Minsk citizens from Surhanava Street organized their own art project. It seemed to feature the flying lanterns we saw earlier in the Shabany neighborhood.
Now Barauliany village takes in guests
Last week we were surprised by Barauliany residents who came for a visit to Novaya Baravaya. Today the situation made a full 180: Novaya Baravaya residents drove down to Barauliany.
The sky in Shabany region
In Shabany people not only gathered with white-red-white flags but also decided (since they’ve spent countless nights together) to launch Chinese lanterns into the sky.
J:MOРC concert on the Square of Changes
On Smarhousky Tract or Peremen Square (the latter is now heard more often) the evening was off to a delightful start: Uladzimir Puhach from J:MOРC band came to visit. He went upstairs to the first floor balcony and began performing popular songs. However, a few minutes later, people in masks appeared, and the concert was over. According to witnesses the singer was not arrested.
The outdoor cinema
The residents of Hazety Prauda Prospect organized a real cultural programme: entertaining events for kids, face paint for kids and adults, drawing in pencils, painting, chalking, making stickers out of reflective tape, games, music (let’s bring those portable speakers) – and that’s just a small part of it.
The residents also ordered pizzas (a lot of pizzas!), drank tea with raspberry jam and, in the evening when it got dark, watched a family cartoon.
The illusionist in Zialiony Luh neighborhood
An illusionist came to the Zialiony Luh neighborhood, where dozens of people of all ages had gathered. Rings, cards, juggling, sleight of hand. The residents had a great time, some of them even participated in the performance.
Picnic by the Dragon
At 5 pm, more than one hundred people (residents of nearby buildings as well as visitors) gathered near the repainted Dragon. Many people were with kids – boys and girls ran around trees and cried, “Zhive Belarus!” [Long live Belarus!] Soon a spontaneous exhibition of kids’ paintings was organized. Everyone painted what he or she wanted: there were no special tasks.
The most popular paintings: smiley faces and white-red-white flags. Some kids demonstrate extra resilience: here, for instance, a nine-year-old girl wrote, “Fathers’ cowardice – children’s slavery.”
The adults carry on political discussions. The middle-aged woman loudly assures the youth that without Lukashenko the country will be sold to the Americans and inexplicably to the Slovaks…
The atmosphere in the park is festive: someone brought juice, cookies, and fruit. People listen to music and take selfies near the Dragon, kids dance around it in a circle. There is no police in sight.
