White-red-white and yellow-and-blue flags under ban in Belarus

• 7.07.2014, 11:43

The police forbade Belarusian and Ukrainian flags at the festival Volnaye Pavetra.

The festival was held in the village Shabli near Valozhyn on July 5. This year's main theme was Kupala Night, or Kupalle, that completely changed the format of the festival.

Organisers offered guests to plunge into the atmosphere of the Belarusian traditional holiday. A concert by Altanka, Vuraj, Stary Olsa and Troitsa on the evening of July 5 was followed by Kupalle activities, songs and bonfires.

Radio Svaboda journalists became witnesses of an unpleasant incident with the local police. Policemen ordered to remove white-red-white and Ukrainian flags. However, the flags were raised later near the bonfire.