Siarhei Douhushau of the Republic of Belarus will give a lecture-performance at International House. Douhushau is a singer and musician who plays various Belarusian ethnic instruments. He is an ethnographer and uses his knowledge of Belarusian traditions to deliver an authentic musical experience. Douhushau will immerse guests in the centuries-old singing tradition of Belarusian people. The songs were collected in the countryside of the Palessie region of Belarus. These songs touch all aspects of country life and represent the philosophy of the Belarusian people. 

Douhushau will play and present authentic Belarusian musical instruments: kolavaia lira (hurdy-gurdy), parnaia dudka (double bagpipe), Belarusian dudka (Belarusian fife), akaryna (okarina), zhaleika, and sapilka. Visual materials will be presented to accompany music and provide explanations for the singing traditions and musical instruments.

Siarhei Douhushau is a singer, musician, ethnographer, and a manager of cultural projects. He was born in the village of Novaye Tarchylava, Vorsha district, Belarus. In 2010, Douhushau graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Music where he majored in singing. Currently he is a soloist of the Belarusian State Philarmony.  Since 2008, Douhushau has created several projects: the group Fratrez, which performs in the experimental neo-classical style; and the ethno band Vuraj, which gives new life and vision to authentic folk songs.

Douhushau actively and relentlessly promotes Belarusian ethnic songs, organizes ethnographic expeditions, and collects Belarusian folklore. In 2013, he became a founder of a vocal studio and a public initiative called Speuny Skhod (Singing Assembly).  In the last three years, he has produced three albums with the group Vuraj, an album of songs featuring Belarusian poetry, and an album of traditional songs from Miyor Krai. 

This event is free and open to the public.

Co-sponsored by the Global Voices Performing Arts Series, Belarusians in Chicago, the University of Chicago Center for East European and Russian/Eurasian Studies, and in part by the Weil-Parker Fund for Performing Arts at International House.