Baranavichy District Executive Committee bans Milavidy Feast on 150th anniversary of battle of Milavidy

Baranavichy City Executive Committee banned Milavidy feast, planned by the local public for 2 June 20113 and dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Milavidy battle of 1863. This became known from the letter, signed by the deputy head of Baranavichy District Executive Committee Anatol Filanchuk, received by the feast organizers Viachaslau Bolbat, Teresa Silivonchyk and Viktar Syrytsa.

In the answer of the district official it is stated that "the culture department of Baranavichy District Executive Committee intends to hold an event in honor of the 150th anniversary of the battle of Milavidy on that day in that place, that's why it is inexpedient to hold another event".

"Article 51 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus guarantees our right to take part in the cultural life. We filed to the district executive committee an application for Milavidy Feast, dedicated to Kastus Kalinouski's insurgents, almost two months ago. During the next month we concluded the agreements with the police, medics and public utilities for serving the mass event on 2 June. Nobody told us that some official event was to take place on 2 June and nobody proposed us another date," commented Viktar Syrytsa.

The activist is sure that the organizers of the feast implemented all provisions of the Law "On Mass Events" and the district executive committee had no reasons to ban the event.