Kristian Benedikt apologizes for performing in Belarus following criticism from Lithuanian government

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Lithuanian tenor Kristian Benedikt apologizes for his recent performance in Belarus.

The tenor, who has come under fire for performing in Minsk, said he traveled to Belarus at the invitation of an evangelical bishop and took part in pre-Christmas events to support his friends suffering from the regime’s repression from Minsk.

He said, I performed at a concert organized and conducted by Oksana Volkova, my stage partner, a mezzo-soprano who has performed several times with the Kaunas Symphony Orchestra.

He added: My motive was to make a visit before Christmas and to say with this visit that you are my friends, even if there is the Lukashenko regime, even if there is a risk that I will be provoked if I ‘m going.

Benedikt also added that some of his friend’s pastors have been imprisoned in Belarus and their churches seized. Why would I deny them? Why would I turn my back on them? Belarus is full of people like us who want freedom.

Benedikt also clarified that there was no one from the Lukashenko regime in the concert.

This statement comes after many public and political figures, including Culture Minister Simonas Kairys, condemned the tenor’s participation in a concert at the Belearus National Opera.

The Minister of Culture said, I’m shocked, to put it simply. Indeed, such choices are incomprehensible to my common sense. The question is, in principle, what is going on in a person’s mind to make such choices? Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that such well-known personalities would travel to Minsk to perform.

The minister added that if Benedikt had not broken the laws, his choice to perform in Belarus was morally unacceptable.

Jonas Sakalauskas, general director of the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre, added: “As long as I am the director, Benedikt will not sing here. This act is a betrayal of Lithuania.”

The tenor has vowed not to perform in Russia and has supported Ukraine with regular prayers and donations.

Belarus has been an ally of Russia throughout the war, helping the Russian government with weapons and training the Russian military.

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