The Sound of Freedom

Authoritarian regimes are not uncommon today. They exist on the fringes of Europe, and even within Europe itself. Autocratic leaders are becoming increasingly bold in their efforts to silence dissident voices.

Music gives citizens the strength to keep their spirits up and continue to hope for a better future. Music becomes an instrument of resistance. And that is precisely why authoritarian regimes see music as a threat that must be silenced, by force if necessary. But this is also the power of music: it continues to inspire, connect and make people dream of a free world.

Writer and professor of international politics Peter Vermeersch witnessed first-hand how, five years ago in Belarus, a pop song became the battle cry of a generation yearning for freedom. Peter followed a group of young musicians and witnessed their journey full of hope and despair, despondency and perseverance.

Through music, he gained a different perspective on the recent history of Belarus and Eastern Europe. By following in the footsteps of these young musicians, he tried to unravel the secret of music in the struggle for freedom.

Peter Vermeersch will talk about his encounters in Minsk, his journey with young musicians in Belarus and Eastern Europe, and his view of the power of music in repressive regimes. He will illustrate his talk with images he took himself.

Musician, singer and composer Thomas Devos performs songs of resistance live in our venue – in Russian and Dutch.

Peter also welcomes Katsiaryna Lozka, a young Belarusian researcher at Ghent University who studies the politics of violence and resistance in Belarus and Ukraine. He talks to her about the resistance against Lukashenko and about Belarusians abroad.

Peter Vermeersch has also written a new book about his journey. You can buy Polsslag afterwards, and the author will be happy to sign it for you.