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Belarus seems taken over by Russia. Through the eyes of the West, the country is on the wrong side of the war in Ukraine. Yet Russia does not equal Putin and Lukashenko does not equal Belarus. What lessons can we learn from the story of Belarus and its people?
So Far, Yet So Close is a day-long program of talks, film, and art about the war in Ukraine, activism and the fight against authoritarianism from a Belarusian perspective. Europe’s last dictatorship may seem far away, but is much closer than we think.
Balie chef Eliza Drzalowska serves homemade borscht soup and a special Eastern European dish of the day.
So Far, Yet So Close is a programme of De Balie, made in collaboration with Belarusian journalists, activists and artists: Ilya Shcharbitski, Daša Słabčanka, Tasha Arlova & Lena Davidovich
Festival Programme
13.00 | Talk: How to fight for democracy?
How do you keep fighting in a country that is terrorized by a dictator? We will be talking with prominent Belarusian activists on their tactics. Let’s compare strategies.
16.30 | Film + talk: ‘When Flowers Are Not Silent’
The awarded documentary film When Flowers are not Silent is a testimony of the state’s violent repression against peaceful protests. Director Andrei Kutsila captures the daily lives of brave citizens who live in dictatorship, but fight for freedom.
17.00 | Talk: Who’s next? Eastern Europe asking
Russia declared war on Ukraine and the question that’s on everyones mind is, who’s next? Together with four journalist we will discuss what it means to live in a country that’s in Russia’s shadow.
20.30 | Talk: How should Europe respond?
It’s been three months since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the future is still unclear. How has the European political infrastructure held up to war so close to its territories?
1 – 21 May | Expo: So Far, Yet So Close
Female artists from Belarus share stories and search for roots, traces and histories to understand where they come from. Each of the artist chooses a different strategy to come into terms with their past.
All day | Food
Balie chef Eliza Drzalowska serves homemade borscht soup and a special Eastern European dish of the day. Enjoy this special food in between the programmes!