Coale Explains How Approval Was Secured for Protestant Festival in Minsk

US presidential envoy John Coale told Radio Svaboda how permission was obtained to hold a large Protestant festival in Minsk.

“I simply asked Lukashenka whether Franklin [Graham] could come and preach. He said yes,” the American diplomat said.

As previously reported, the “Festival of Hope,” involving Protestant churches, will take place at Minsk’s Chyzhouka Arena on May 16-17. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, arrived in Belarus from the United States for the event. Earlier today, he met with Alyaksandr Lukashenka at the Palace of Independence.