Rock Opera “Jesus Christ – Superstar” Banned in Belarus

16/2/2012

Mahiliou authorities banned the performance of the rock opera “Jesus Christ – Superstar” in connection with the protests of the local Orthodox. Instead, “Orpheus and Eurydice” will be on in Mahiliou. Now the same question is being solved with the authorities of Homel, where Homel eparchy of Belarusian Orthodox Church has protested against the performance, too.

Aristarchus Bishop and other priests, signed the corresponding letter, are most concerned about the date of the concert – the first Sunday of Lent in the Orthodox religion, reported the chief of the Department of Culture of Homel Voblast Executive Committee, Oleg Ryzhkov.

“We’ll probably transfer the day of the rock opera show, or take off tickets for Sunday,” he said, “Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus.”

“I thought we proclaim spirituality, but it turns out, there is the opposite opinion. I’ve read several positive reviews in the internet by Orthodox priests. They say this genre revives the story of Christ, draws the youth to the Gospel and shows the way to church. By the way, Moscow Patriarchate has blessed this performance!” said the tour organizer, head of the center “ArtFest,” Vladimir Brailovski.

According to him, the organizers agreed with the decision of Mahiliou authorities not to “inflame the conflict.” But in Homel “an agreement has already been signed, so it will be more complicated to legally cancel the performance.”

“We’ve also applied to the Ministry of Culture of Belarus asking for their opinion in the question,” said Vladimir Brailovski.

Performance of the rock opera “Jesus Christ – Superstar” will start from Brest. It’s also planned to stage it in Minsk. There have been no protests from the Orthodox Church in these cities so far.

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