‘Lukashenka Grew Up Among Plants And Animals, But With People It's More Complicated

• 15.04.2025, 13:37

The dictator's fear is transferred to the cultural plane.

After the events of 2020, it seemed that life had frozen for a while, got numb in anticipation of change, writes Charter97.org reader Katsiaryna. All human energy and strength were directed towards the struggle for victory, but Belarusians were in for disappointment and depression. Mass detentions and arrests began, and the flow of emigration increased.

Those who remained in their homeland thought that this absurdity could not last long, that the system, like an ear of corn, was already tilted and would soon collapse. And we watched this spectacle of life: first with hope and inspiration, then with despair. But life went on — it cannot be paused. And people, in addition to their daily bread, also need spiritual food. And then it turned out that Belarus has huge problems with this.

The Kupala Theatre, which was not only the conventional center of the city, but also the center of culture, was destroyed. The Drama Theatre was also “mopped up”. The Youth Theatre held out for a long time, but Makei’s wife was appointed there too, and “brought order” — ideologically, of course. There were almost no quality performances in the native language left in the theatre.

And so people found an outlet — the Puppet Theatre. It turned out that they put on wonderful performances there. People lined up to buy tickets to the Puppet Theatre. But, unfortunately, this theatre, like the Kupala Theatre, is located in the city center, next to the “residence-presidential palace”.

And people really irritate the dictator. After all, Lukashenka grew up among plants and animals, but with people it’s more difficult: what if someone, in a fit of anger or emotion, throws a stick in the direction of the “palace”, and this will become the impetus for a new uprising?

A solution was found quickly. First, the ticket queues were moved online. And then they sorted out the repertoire. After all, this is a children's theater, how can they stage plays for adults, and with such a “suspicious” subtext?

In the end, they left only one play... And really, there is no need for people to hang around cultural institutions! The sowing season is beginning...