You must register by 5pm on October 7, 2024 in order to attend this event.

Belarus Free Theater (BFT)—the only theater in Europe banned by its government on political grounds—is described by the New York Times as “one of the bravest and most inspired troupes on the planet.” Founded in 2005 by artists Nicolai Khalezin and Natalia Kaliada, it operated underground as one of Belarus’ leading resistance movements against Lukashenka’s regime, before being forced into exile in the UK.

Over the past nineteen years, BFT has originated some of the world’s most provocative and breathtaking physical theater. With over 50 productions performed in more than 40 countries, they have created a global model for activism that uses theater to build a movement for democracy, human rights, and artistic freedom. Their numerous awards include Vaclav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent (2018) and the Magnitsky Prize (2020).

BFT’s newest production, KS6: Small Forward, which premiered on September 24 at New York’s legendary La Mama Theater to critical acclaim, is based on the extraordinary life story of Belarusian international-basketball-player-turned-activist, Katsiaryna Snytsina.

The Harriman Institute is proud to welcome the show’s star, together with co-director Natalia Kaliada, and the long-term member of BFT Daniella Kaliada. In conversation with Harriman Director Valentina Izmirlieva, these three extraordinary women will discuss the power of art and sports to undermine dictatorships, and the need for younger generations to take charge of their future.

Biographies

Katsiaryna Snytsina is the former captain of Belarus women’s national basketball team which won bronze medals at the 2007 European Championship and placed sixth at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2024, Snytsina competed for the London Lions when they won the coveted EuroCup title. After the brutal suppression of the 2020 Belarusian revolution, she emerged as a critic of the regime and her political activism ultimately led to her theatrical debut in KS6: Small Forward.

Headshot: Nicolai Khalezin

The co-founding artistic director of BFT Natalia Kaliada has pioneered a unique method of transversal lobbying and campaigning, uniting artistic, geopolitical, environmental and human rights concerns to bring systematic change to different societies. Recognized internationally as one of the most influential political actors of the theater world today, she was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for Services to Theater in 2023.

Headshot: Anna Goltsberg

After being forced into exile from her home country of Belarus, Daniella Kaliada fled to the UK with her parents, becoming an activist from an early age. At 13, she spoke at the British Parliament urging politicians to sanction Lukashenka’s regime and release political prisoners. Since then, she has participated in major political conferences as a representative of BFT and the We Remember Foundation. She is a main presenter of the online show Monologue for Two run by the Ministry of Counter Culture.

Headshot: German Marshall Fund