TV presenter and musician Ekaterina Vodonosova talks about the patronage of political prisoner Sergei Sparish as part of the information campaign of our Foundation and the Dissidentby initiative "Until All are free."
"I chose Sergei Sparish because in 2020 I found out what an extraordinary, interesting, deep, and principled person he is. I was also impressed by the fact that Sergei is a composer, but was forced to work as a welder. This is very Belarusian phenomenon, unfortunately, not having the opportunity to realize one's talent.
Until there was still no ban on sending literature to prisoners, at Sergei's request, I searched for books of modern, medieval, ancient philosophers, scientific literature on history, religious studies... Sergei not only read a lot himself, but also encouraged his fellow inmates to read serious literature.
I would really like to talk to him about Thomas Aquinas and Augustine of Hippo. Because to me, as an ordinary person, even with a religious education, these medieval philosophers and their works seem rather dull and overly moralistic. It's interesting how Sergei tempered his spirit and mind to read them by his own will!
Sergei was among those political prisoners to whom I wrote beautiful letters: with initials and miniatures, adorned with leaf gold, silver, and paints made from natural pigments, written in Carolingian minuscule, Gothic round, Celtic knotwork... And not a single letter reached him. But I am stubborn enough: now I am trying to support him in a different way.
Unfortunately, I cannot tell everything so as not to harm anyone. From what I can share: I tell and write about him. I believe that when Sergei is free, I will be able to ask him for permission for his music to be played and live.
You know, the ancient Egyptians had something like a saying: "Call my name, and I will live forever." Oblivion kills. People who are forgotten seem lost, cease to exist for the world. They have no one to share their pain, hopelessness, fear with. I understand that Sergei will not know what I think, say, write about him. But we want to believe that he will feel it, that it will somehow become a little easier for him to endure violence and injustice."
Sergei Sparish is an activist of the "People's Granada" party. He was arrested on June 25, 2020. He was mentioned in the case of the Telegram channel "Army with the People". The court's verdict is 6 years of imprisonment in a reinforced regime. The KGB has included him in the list of persons "connected with terrorist activities". Included in the list of citizens involved in extremist activities.
Ekaterina Vodonosova is a musician, singer, poetess, TV presenter, journalist, master of traditional Belarusian and historical costume, historical embroidery techniques and historical calligraphy.
"I chose Sergei Sparish because in 2020 I found out what an extraordinary, interesting, deep, and principled person he is. I was also impressed by the fact that Sergei is a composer, but was forced to work as a welder. This is very Belarusian phenomenon, unfortunately, not having the opportunity to realize one's talent.
Until there was still no ban on sending literature to prisoners, at Sergei's request, I searched for books of modern, medieval, ancient philosophers, scientific literature on history, religious studies... Sergei not only read a lot himself, but also encouraged his fellow inmates to read serious literature.
I would really like to talk to him about Thomas Aquinas and Augustine of Hippo. Because to me, as an ordinary person, even with a religious education, these medieval philosophers and their works seem rather dull and overly moralistic. It's interesting how Sergei tempered his spirit and mind to read them by his own will!
Sergei was among those political prisoners to whom I wrote beautiful letters: with initials and miniatures, adorned with leaf gold, silver, and paints made from natural pigments, written in Carolingian minuscule, Gothic round, Celtic knotwork... And not a single letter reached him. But I am stubborn enough: now I am trying to support him in a different way.
Unfortunately, I cannot tell everything so as not to harm anyone. From what I can share: I tell and write about him. I believe that when Sergei is free, I will be able to ask him for permission for his music to be played and live.
You know, the ancient Egyptians had something like a saying: "Call my name, and I will live forever." Oblivion kills. People who are forgotten seem lost, cease to exist for the world. They have no one to share their pain, hopelessness, fear with. I understand that Sergei will not know what I think, say, write about him. But we want to believe that he will feel it, that it will somehow become a little easier for him to endure violence and injustice."
Sergei Sparish is an activist of the "People's Granada" party. He was arrested on June 25, 2020. He was mentioned in the case of the Telegram channel "Army with the People". The court's verdict is 6 years of imprisonment in a reinforced regime. The KGB has included him in the list of persons "connected with terrorist activities". Included in the list of citizens involved in extremist activities.
Ekaterina Vodonosova is a musician, singer, poetess, TV presenter, journalist, master of traditional Belarusian and historical costume, historical embroidery techniques and historical calligraphy.
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