Russian conductor Spivakov renounces award once given to him by Lukashenko as sign of protest against 'tyranny, violence'
MOSCOW. Aug 12 (Interfax) - Prominent Russian conductor and violinist Vladimir Spivakov, the chief conductor of the Russian National Philharmonic Orchestra and president of the Moscow International Performing Arts Center (MMDM), has renounced the Order of Francysk Skaryna awarded to him by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in 2014 in protest against violence against the Belarusian people.
"My heart is beating today in unison with the people of the Republic of Belarus, who are rightfully demanding that their elementary rights and freedoms be observed, including the right to peaceful protest. Therefore, in the current situation, I have to renounce the order that you earlier awarded to me. I feel ashamed to wear it, as long as this is associated with your rule. Your 'black' force is your huge weakness. People are born to be loved, rather than humiliated, not to mention mutilated," Spivakov said in an open letter to the Belarusian president, circulated by the MMDM press service.
"Your 'holiday' today has been plagued by bigotry, tyranny, violence, and endless examples of the extreme cruelty with which the authorities are suppressing the will of numerous citizens around the country," he said.
Spivakov recalled that Lukashenko awarded him the Order of Francysk Skaryna in 2014 for special merits in promoting humanitarian and charitable activities, for successes in the field of national and state revival, and for defending human dignity and the rights of Belarusian citizens. "Apparently, you embraced those notions at the time. I still share these values today, but not with you, a ruler who has put his nation in living conditions inconsistent with humanism and democracy," Spivakov said.
Lukashenko said earlier that the presidential election in Belarus passed like a holiday, but those who wanted to spoil it "have started shining even brighter."
There was record voter turnout in the election; whole families with children came to polling stations, he said. The president said he believed turnout would be even higher after the final results were announced. "Honestly, it's moving when people come out with young children. It's a holiday. Some people wanted to spoil this holiday. We've seen them; they started shining even brighter last night," Lukashenko said at the time.