Belarus Rocks Out for Change
Belarus Rocks Out for Change
Rock is protest. Everywhere. Not only in Belarus.
Volha Karatkevich, Belarus: Rocking the Political Boat, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 3/17/06
Milinkevich… arrived half way into the concert that took place on Bangalore Square. Speaking in Belarusian, in itself an act of defiance, he pumped up the crowd, railing against the current regime for its crack down on basic freedoms. Closing his speech he declared that all Belarusians should be able to live in a free and just society where they can always listen to “beautiful Belarusian rock!”
Michael Schwirtz, Rally the Opposition!, Indolent Youth, 3/19/06
Should this week’s protests turn into a full-fledged revolution, alternative rockers N.R.M. will provide the soundtrack. N.R.M. loosely translates as “Independent Republic of Dreams.” In Belarus, “slandering the president” can land you in prison; passing false information that might harm the state to foreigners (say, by playing such slander on the radio) could land you there too. Police wallpaper the streets with the friendly reminder, “We are always near you.” So even with a new law that says 75% of all music played on Belarusian radio has to be performed by Belarusian artists, N.R.M. doesn’t get much airtime. Says N.R.M. headman Lyavon Volski, “Now [DJs in Belarus] are starting to look for Belarusian roots among western singers. Apparently, Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler has some.”
Lukashenko (or, as supporters call him, Father, or Bat’ka) would have you listen to something a little less slanderous. You can see it here, performed by a pop band campaigning for Lukashenko; translated into English, the lyrics go something like this:
Well-set and slim
He won’t teach you evil
Father can bridle anyone
Father is stronger than the rest
He will settle conflicts
He is reliable and calm
He just throws a glance – and you see
Who is the master in the house
Chorus:
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Listen to Father!
In the morning, day, and night…
Listen to Father!
If you feel bad
Listen to Father!
If you are ok
Listen to Father!!!
Translation Andrei Khrapavitski, Listen to Father!, Belarus Elections 2006, 3/09/06
At Bangalore Square, the message from N.R.M. may be slightly more subtle, but the sentiments are as strong:
My generation
Had been living in the darkness.
Now the darkness for it
Is also the light….
My generation
Is having a good time and is drinking,
Is standing on its knees,
Dislikes itself.
It would be good to buy dollars,
And to sell rubbles,
And then to go rather far off
From this land…
We — Belarussians, together with brother Russia —
Had been looking for the roads to happiness…
We were united by neither much nor little —
By the participation in the stupid struggle…
My generation
Is waving its wing,
Is pecking the bloody food
By the window.
N.R.M, My Generation, as quoted by Philip Kennicott, Rock Band Speaks to Generation of Belarussians, The Washington Post
You can hear more clips of N.R.M. songs here and here.
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