Фота: Аляксандра Новак.
On September 5, the fifth Graj music festival was held at the NIEBO club in Warsaw. A full house (sold out) of 700 people, good sound, seven bands and an atmosphere of celebration and unity. Graj brought the season of Belarusian summer festivals to a fitting close, showcasing strong Belarusian passion.
Young bands Rodvaloth and RaState opened the hours-long music marathon. As a reminder, they won the opportunity to share the stage with well-known artists in the competition for young performers traditionally organised by Graj. The jury selected two bands because the competition was strong; the festival organisers received dozens of applications from young artists, and both the audience and the jury voted for Rodvaloth and RaState.
The young performers handed the baton to audience favourite Razbitae Sertsa Patsana. Excellent high-energy songs for slam dancing are the signature feature of Dzieciuki, who performed next. Then another group of “honoured extremists” took the stage — punks Dai Darohu! led by Yury Stylski. J:Mors raised the level of collective energy even further. The marathon was closed by Volski — as they say, those who stayed until the end did not regret it.
A charity auction in support of Belarusian artists was held throughout the evening. The event hosts Valer Ruselik and Maryna Savitskaya, who created the atmosphere of the event, offered various lots for purchase, from a headdress belonging to Ales Dzyanisau of “Dzieciuki” to a painting by artist Yaraslau Kirvel, who captured Lavon Volski on canvas during his joint performance with Atesta. In total, the charity auction raised about 8,000 zlotys.
The festival was attended by Belarusian leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Franak Viačorka, and Pavel Barkouski. Visitors also had a chance to meet music journalist and writer Aliaksandr Charnukha and get his autograph.
An art market was also held at the event, where visitors could buy works by Belarusian artisans and meet figures from Belarusian political and cultural life. “I had a really great time today,” one of them shared his impressions. “Good sound, music, and lots of beautiful and sensible Belarusian men and women.”
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