Nyaklyayeu marks 70th birthday at rally in central Minsk - in pictures

Фотарэпартаж, як Някляеў адзначыў 70-годдзе каля помніка Янкі Купалы ў Мінску

Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu marked his 70th birthday anniversary near the monument to Yanka Kupala in Minsk. More than a hundred people came to congratulate the poet in Yanka Kupala Square on the evening of July 11 – well-known writers, painters and politicians. Nyaklyayeu read out his verses and presented his new book Only Verses to his guests.Musicians Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich and Lyavon Volski who are usually not allowed to play gigs in Belarus also took part in the event and performed their songs.

No events were officially authoirized to take place near the monument to Yanka Kupala on July 11. No uniformed police were deployed to the rally but agents in plain clothes were widely present and recorded the event on video. The action ended with no detentions.