Conductor and violinist Vladimir Spivakov refused the order of Francysk Skaryna, who in 2014 he was awarded Alexander Lukashenko. About it the actor said in an open letter to the President of Belarus, confessing that he was ashamed to wear the award associated with the rule of the President.
the Letter was published by “Novaya Gazeta”. Here’s the full text.
“Alexander Grigoryevich!
In 2014, You gave me the order of Francysk Skaryna for special merits in the field of humanitarian and charitable activities, successes on the basis of national-state revival, in the protection of human dignity and the rights of citizens of Belarus. Apparently, at the time these concepts were still close to You. Today I continue to share these values, but not with You, ruler, who created for his people the conditions of life incompatible with humanism and democracy.