2024-02-04 08:37:35
Igor Sigov. Still from video
Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus Igor Sigov – about relations with the authorities.
In the past, Igor Sigov worked at the Republican Theater of Belarusian Drama and the Kupala Theater, from where he left in 2020. After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, he and his Ukrainian wife moved to Poland, where, in addition to working as an actor, he has to work as a taxi driver.
In an interview with Life-Raspberry, Sigov told how he refused to thank Lukashenko for the title of Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus, which he was awarded in 2011.
– I came to the presentation of the “Honored”, “People’s”. And you sit, wait for your name to be called, so you can go out and get it. The woman who oversaw this whole process comes up to me, and she says: “Igor Alekseevich, when you are called, you must say words of gratitude to Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko.”
And I say: “Why me? There, they’re presenting “people’s gifts”, maybe let them.” Moreover, not everyone spoke there, some wanted to, others simply said “thank you,” because there were also regulations.
I do not know what to say. And the following phrase sounds: “So you refuse?” I say: “Yes, the point is not that I refuse there, I don’t refuse, but that I don’t know what to say.” “So you refuse?” I say: “Why me, explain?” “Because the Ministry of Culture chose you to speak, so you must speak.”
I say: “Okay.” Well, what to talk about? Words of gratitude “Thank you, Alexander Grigorievich, for our happy childhood” or what?!
Moreover, I understand that especially after 2020 they had: “How is that possible? Our president gave you a title.” For a second, I deserve it, at least with my work in cinema, recognition not only in Belarus… And when they treat you like “He condescended to reward you,” then I don’t even need “deserved”, and even more so when you they say “you have no choice.”
I came out then and said in Belarusian that “Thank you for the recognition, but there are plenty of people like me in Belarus who are worthy of this title. And in general, don’t turn away from culture, because we are the most defenseless.”
There were several more people after me. And they gave him the final word. And he began to say: “Well, Igor Alekseevich, we know, I help culture, I rebuilt the building for Kupalovsky,” Sigov said.
The actor also recalled how, some time later, on the eve of a meeting with Lukashenko on cinema issues, the then director of Belarusfilm, Oleg Silvanovich, approached him.
– He: “Come to me, I’ll teach you how to talk to the president.” I say: “Oleg, go n…”
Sigov added that at that time he held the position of director of the Republican Theater of Belarusian Drama, so he could talk with the director of Belarusfilm on an equal footing.
After the events of 2020, the actor received a ban on creative professions in Belarus. Now he works part-time as a taxi driver in Poland. According to Sigov, in order to “earn something” on a rental car, you need to work 10-12 hours every day, but due to physical fatigue, he can’t do that.
To the question “why didn’t your crown fall off?”, the actor replied:
– I don’t wear it, I put it on sometimes. That’s why she doesn’t fall.
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