Ukrainian writers wrote an open letter to the State Committee with the demand to boycott an international book fair, which will be held in Minsk on February 9-14 and which is scheduled departure level delegation from the Ukraine. Thus, the writers trying to support their Belarusian colleagues who have been pressured and harassed by the Belarusian authorities, as well as to show Ukrainian government that such steps with respect to the Ukrainian artists will not work. The appeal was signed more than 25 writers, including Sergei Zhadan, Larysa Denisenko, Andrey Kokotyuha, Basil Shklyar, Irene Rozdobudko, Galina Vdovichenko, Ivan Andrusyak, Kapranov brothers, Anatoly Dnistrovoy … Information about the pursuit of creative people in the Republic of Belarus leads to resentment literary community of Ukraine – Ukrainian writers say. – Thus, It is reported that the leading poet of Belarus Uladzimir Nyaklyaeva first arrested, and now kept at home without the right to use the Internet and even come to the windows of his apartment. About this was discussed at a meeting of Writers of Ukraine, which took place within the walls of Gorodishchenskoye monastery. Another writer, a Ukrainian by birth, Natalka Babin was a victim of the KGB, when his workers were confiscated her computer with the prepared already a second edition of the novel "Rybin city …" Pressure and direct persecution of writers and poets of the regime of Alexander Lukashenko can not remain indifferent Ukrainians.
Therefore we, the writers of Ukraine, journalists, readers and all literary community demand that the State Committee to boycott the Minsk International Book Fair to be held February 9-14 and is scheduled to leave by a representative delegation from the Ukraine. We also call on all publishers of Ukraine to show solidarity with the repressed Belarusian artists and withdraw from participation in the Ukrainian exposition. If we do not support each other in a dangerous for any intelligent Human political environment, and tomorrow will begin crackdown on artists and the Ukraine. Example Mary Matios – vivid evidence of this. A month ago, turned to the Ukrainian State Committee for publishers to make their books for registration of Ukrainian stand at the Book Fair Minsk. Now, writers urge publishers to take books back.
If the delegation still go to Belarus, although that would be Ukrainian stand remained empty. State Committee Writers' boycott has not commented. In its press service told said that the text of an official response yet committee agrees. It also explained that the official delegation of Ukraine in Minsk at Book Fair did attend. Since the decision to the competence of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. It is he who decides what in international events participating delegation Goskomteleradio. Minsk exhibition is on the approved list such events.