Minsk authorities issue ultimatum: Anonymous artist should restore ‘Russian gift’
Minsk city executive committee doesn’t seem to approve of the updated version of the ‘brotherly’ gift: on Sunday barbed wire was drawn on a mural that symbolizes the friendship of Belarus and Russia.
“The actions of an unknown graffiti artist who made changes to the work about the friendship between Moscow and Minsk is primarily the lack of respect for the Russian artist Artur Koshak and outright rudeness towards the residents of Minsk,” Alena Mokhar, the press secretary of Minsk City Executive Committee, said.
According to her, the image will be restored to its original form, and the identity of the graffiti artist will be established in the near future.
In response, Minsk-based photographer and activist Anton Matolka asked the city authorities to leave the mural as it is now. The photographer who is calling on Belarusians to send requests has expressed hope that Minsk city executive committee will listen to the voice of residents of Minsk.
“Please take into account a vote of a resident of the capital and leave the mural as it looks now – with barbed wire drawn by an unknown graffiti artist,” Matolka wrote.
The city officials have urged the anonymous artist to make corrections to the image on his own until the end of the week, otherwise he might be charged the costs incurred by the city in court, they warn.
In turn, the artist whose name is still unknown contacted reporters and said he was not going to restore the image:
“I suggest that the authorities should cover this misery and disgrace with paint. This ‘gift’ defames our beautiful city; Minsk deserves better.”
As reported earlier, a giant graffiti appeared on the wall of the 12-storey block of flats in Mahiliouskaya Street in Minsk. The authors made a picture of a Belarusian boy giving flowers to a Russian girl in the run-up of Russia Day which is celebrated on June, 12. There is also the inscription ‘Moscow-Minsk’ and a heart in the colors of the Belarusian and the Russian flags.
Belsat.eu
