Belarusian represenative in Index on Censorship
- 25.06.2009, 15:19
Natallya Kalyada, a director of Belarus Free Theatre, has been elected as a member of the Consultative board of one of the leading world human rights organisations, Index of Censorship.
An invitation to become a member of this organisation was received by Natallya Kalyada in April 2009. And in the middle of June the first meeting of the Consultative board of this influential organisation took place in London.
Index on Censorship is Britain's leading organisation promoting freedom of expression. It was organized in 1972, when editor Michael Scammell and a group of writers, journalists and artists, led by the British poet Stephen Spender defended the basic human right of freedom of expression. Their magazine covered censorship in the former Soviet Union and its satellites.
Natallya Kalyada answered our questions:
- Have any of Belarusian public leaders been a member of the Consultative board?
- No, this is the first invitation ever. Beside Belarusian participation, the Eastern Europe is represented in the board by a Russian representative Oleg Panfilov only. He is a director of Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations.
- What was the reason for the leaders of the organisation to offer you as a member of the board?
- In many respects it was an achievement of the Free Theatre as a group, which consistently defends the right for freedom of expression. Out creative team is well – known in Britain, both from the creative and public sides. I think this decision has been also influenced by the fact that Belarus is the “last dictatorship in Europe”, which needs special attention to the developments in our country.
- When ArtAction organisation gave you a prize Freedom to Create in London, they called you “Creators – Ambassadors of Peace in Defence of Human Rights”. Has something changed in your life in your native country after that?
- I think that one of the most important missions of the art is to stop violence not only in one’s own country, but wherever possible. We are trying to influence the situation in all the countries where we show our performances. I think that our position is well-known to the Belarusian leadership, that is why no changes have taken place in our status in our homeland. We are existing illegally, demonstrating our performances only in private houses and flats, while aboard most prestigious stages are given to us: the National Theatres of Sweden and Norway, Public Theatre in New York and London’s Soho Theatre…