Belarus Days 2024

A screening of the film "Motherland" created by independent Belarusian directors Aleksandr Mikhalkovich and Hanna Badziaka, followed by a discussion with  one of the directors of the movie and a representative of VODBLISK online cinema, moderated by Goethe-Institut. The VODBLISK cinema is a beneficiary of two EU-funded projects – EU4Culture and ArtPower Belarus.  The event is organised by the European Commission with the support of the EU4Culture project (implemented by a Goethe-Institut-led consortium).

The event is open to the public. Tickets are free. Please register here for the event.

Venue: Flagey, Studio 5, Place Sainte-Croix, 1050 Brussels.
Date: Monday, 9th December, 19h00 - 21h00.

The exhibition Interwoven Spaces, by Belarusian artist Rufina Bazlova / Stitchit & Collectiv, will present the #FramedinBelarus artivist project. Through traditional Belarusian embroidery, with red thread on white background, the project depicts every person unjustly convicted in Belarus, and marks an important period of Belarusian history in (inter)national folk art. The exhibition will be officially opened on international Human Rights Day. The exhibition's authors will present their project and guide visitors into the office of democratic forces, which will be transformed to honour Belarusian political prisoners. Visitors are encouraged to explore this re-imagined space and engage directly with the #FramedInBelarus embroidery artefacts, discovering forms of gentle protest and art solidarity. The event is organised by the European Commission with the support of the EU4Culture project (implemented by a Goethe-Institut-led consortium).

The event is open to the public. No registration required.

Venue: Mission of Democratic Belarus, Rue de la Science 23, Brussels

Date: Tuesday, 10th December, 17h30-19h30.

In addition to the exhibition, the artists will give a workshop where participants will have an opportunity to find out more about the project and learn cross stitching. This workshop will be open to public.

Access to the workshop is by registration only. The number of places is limited to 16. Please fill the registration form.

Venue: Mission of Democratic Belarus, Rue de la Science 23, Brussels

Date: Sunday, 8h December, 13:00-16:00

The 4th meeting of the Consultative Group, a format of consultations launched by EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in June 2023. This closed-door meeting will be chaired by EEAS Managing Director for Eastern Europe Michael Siebert and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, with the participation of the European COmmission, and will be devoted to information sharing on the situation in the country, and to showcasing the EU's engagement and support for a democratic Belarus.

Venue: European External Action Service

Date: Wednesday, 11th December (closed-door event)

Exhibition of artworks and letters of political prisoners in Belarus entitled Voices from Prison. Art as Resistance: Drawings and Letters by Political Prisoners in Belarus. The exhibition has been put together by the EEAS in cooperation with Belarusian partners: UTC Office for National Revival, BySOL,  A Country to Live In and Voices Across Borders.

It consists of drawings and letters of political prisoners, the prominent ones and those unknown to the world. Each poster tells a story of a prisoner who, even behind bars, continues to resist.

Venue: European External Action Service

Date: Opening on Wednesday 11th December at 16:00 (by invitation only)

A high-level musical evening will feature two musical performances by Belarusian accordionist Yegor Zabelov and the Free Choir. It will be followed by a photo exhibition by Belarusian artist Alexander Kot-Zaitsau, dedicated to the concept of “home” as experienced by Belarusians forced to live in exile. The artists are beneficiaries of two EU-funded projects – EU4Culture and ArtPower Belarus. The event is organised by the European Commission with the support of the EU4Culture project (implemented by a Goethe Institut-led consortium).

Venue: Flagey, Studio 1, Place Sainte-Croix, 1050 Brussels.

Date: Wednesday, 11th December, 18h00-22h00 (by invitation only)

An outdoor exhibition dedicated to five imprisoned human rights defenders from The Human Rights Center “Viasna” — Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic, Uladzimir Labkovich, Marfa Rabkova, and Andrei Chapiuk. The exhibition will be opened by Malgorzata Gosiewska, Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, and Maryna Kastylianchanka from The Human Rights Center “Viasna”. The installations will stay in Brussels until 20 December 2024.
 
Venue: The Esplanade of the European Parliament
Date:  Thursday, 12th December 8:45

A conference entitled Standing with the People of Belarus, organised jointly by the European External Action Service and the European Parliament, in cooperation with the European Commission, to demonstrate the EU’s unwavering support for the Belarusian people, shed light on the situation of political prisoners, and to discuss pathways for a democratic future in Belarus. The conference aims to send a clear message of solidarity and commitment, bringing together EU leaders, international partners, think tanks and representatives from Belarusian democratic forces and civil society. The conference is funded by Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) of the European Union.

Venue: European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, Brussels

Date: Thursday, 12th December (by invitation only)

Film screening co-organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

Venue: Mission of Democratic Belarus, Rue de la Science 23

Date: Thursday, 12th December, 17:00 (by invitation only)

Expert discussion co-organized by the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Endowment for Democracy in partnership with Press Club Belarus.

Venue: European Economic and Social Committee

Date: Friday, 13th December (by invitation only)