BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

12/11/2007

From Belarusia With Love

By Alex Christie-Miller

The strains of the zither and the dulcimer will be echoing round St Wilfrid's Parish Church on Wednesday.

The exotic stringed instruments are played by 'Sviata', a traditional folk and dance ensemble from Belarus who are visiting the UK for the first time.

They are visiting Haywards Heath thanks to Andrew Storey of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children charity, which works in Belarus.

Mr Storey, chairman of the FOCC Mid Sussex branch, invited the musicians to perform in the town after hearing of their visit through the Belarusian Embassy in London.

He said: "Belarus has vibrant folk musical heritage from its countryside, with colourful traditional costumes including swirling skirts and dresses, as well as folk instruments.

"They are in the UK for a few days only so I am pleased that they can come to our town and perform. It is a good occasion for people to understand that there is more to Belarus than the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear explosion."

Sviata will be performing on Wednesday, November 14 at 7.30pm in St Wilfrid's Parish Church in Haywards Heath. Admission is free, with an optional collection for the Ashenground Community Hall Appeal.

Source:

http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/mid-sussex-news/From-Belarusia-With-Love.3480989.jp