Many Minsk residents know Aleksei for his original performances as a living golden statue at city events. Veronika, his wife, created the costumes for him. In 2020, Aleksei took part in the protests: he staged theatrical performances with his “Golden Director’s Studio” and signed an open letter from cultural figures condemning violence. In September 2021, the activist was warned that law enforcers had started targeting those who signed the letter, and arrest was only a matter of time.
“We were just lucky to have enough time to prepare all the documents and do the COVID-19 tests,” Veronika recalls. “We left – but only just to the border.”
At the Belarusian border, Veronika was denied exit, and in near panic she made her way to Lithuania alone. Later, it became known that a criminal case had been opened against her for taking part in the talk show “Plan B” on the Belsat TV channel. Searches have already been carried out several times at her former registered address in Belarus.
In Vilnius, the couple tried to restore a sense of normal life. Aleksei continued to perform on the streets in costumes created by Veronika. This was their only source of income. However, in 2025, work practically came to a halt: a cold winter, rainy spring, and summer made it impossible to perform outdoors. There was no longer enough money to cover even basic needs.
“My job is to make costumes for my husband,” says Veronika. “His job is to walk them around. That’s how we’ve lived for eight years, but this year’s income has been a disaster. Everything we had saved for a rainy day is gone, and we’ve fallen into debt.”
Now the family is left without any means: they are behind on rent, kindergarten fees, and health insurance, and in autumn their daughter is starting first grade. On top of that, Veronika’s cervical and thoracic osteoarthritis has worsened. Because of the high humidity, it’s hard for her to get out of bed in the morning – pain and stiffness make every day a struggle.
“We’ve tried to hold on as best we could,” she says. “There were highs and lows. But now we’re in a pit, and we’re afraid that without the help of people in solidarity, we might not make it out.”
The family is asking for help with the essentials: rent, food, school preparation, and treatment.
Fundraiser Goal
€2300
€1300 – three months’ rent
€250 – kindergarten debt
€150 – overdue Sodra social contributions
€300 – school supplies and preparation
€300 – examination and treatment for osteoarthritis