Eduard Hanok forbids use of his most popular songs. Ministry of culture comments

3 мая 2017

XXVI International Arts Festival Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk is to start in two months. Today at the forum’s press-conference, the theme of the opening night was unveiled – it will be devoted to the 130th anniversary of Mark Chagall's birthday. The current festival is already considered the most stellar – solo concerts of artists will begin a few days before the official opening ceremony and will continue well after the official closing of the festival. At the moment, the programme includes 18 vocal projects on the main stage of Vitebsk Amphitheatre. One of them is dedicated to the anniversary of the Syabry ensemble headed by Anatoly Yarmolenko, the People's Artist of Belarus. Recently, active discussions have been held around one of the songs of the ensemble and four other works from the repertoire of Jadwiga Poplavskaya. This is due to the fact that the famous composer, People's Artist of Belarus Eduard Hanok banned the use of the music of his most popular songs performed by these artists. We present exclusive comments on the situation.

First Deputy Minister of Culture of Belarus Irina Driga:

"Of course, we will seek solutions to this situation in the legal field, taking into account the requirements of copyright legislation, because the songs are wonderful, the artists are wonderful, the composer is wonderful and we will do everything possible for this issue to be settled."

Alexander Sidorenko, Director of the International Arts Festival Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk:

"We have not received any formal letters yet, we have all the provisions in this country for copyrights to be respected. It is essential to look into the matter, but I believe that every effort should be made by both the composer and the performers to ensure that such magnificent songs could be heard."

During the festival, the entire city of Vitebsk will become a festive venue. Lots of events will unfold right on the streets of the city. The tickets for many scheduled projects are already sold out. The contest of young performers remains unchanged. There are applications from 21 participants from all over the world. A few weeks before the song competition, the contestants will come to Minsk for rehearsals with the National Academic Concert Orchestra of Belarus conducted by Mikhail Finberg.