Dear leaders and spectators of Cirque du Soleil,

We are writing to you on behalf of the democratic community of Belarus.

Our civil rights in our own country have been destroyed, with those openly supporting democratic values being subjected to persecution and even death in prisons. Countless individuals who refuse to accept the dictatorial policies of the Lukashenko regime have been compelled to abandon their homes.

It is our hope that the recent employment of Belarusian athlete Vladislav Goncharov by your esteemed organization was either a matter of chance or a regrettable oversight. It is important to note that when our entire nation was fighting for its right to choose in 2020, this individual openly voiced support for the dictator and actively participated in events aimed at bolstering Lukashenko's regime. Meanwhile, his fellow athletes were being fired, imprisoned, and exiled from their own homeland for their refusal to remain silent about the sufferings endured by our people.

We kindly request that you seek public explanations from Vladislav Goncharov regarding his actions.

Allow us to express our conviction that the presence and engagement of this individual in a democratic country represent a mockery and an affront to the values we hold dear.

Every single day, Belarusians are coerced, under the threat of physical violence, into confessing to crimes they never committed. Our aspirations for freedom are unjustly labelled as criminal acts.

The person whom you have chosen to employ did not merely passively observe the unfolding events; he actively lent his support to the oppressive regime out of personal interest. It is noteworthy that now, when Belarus finds itself isolated from the international community due to its participation in military aggression against Ukraine, this individual has conveniently decided to alter his stance and seek personal gain elsewhere.

While we firmly believe in the capacity of individuals to change, it is imperative that in this case rectification of past actions be made public, just as the initial endorsements of the dictators's regime were made.

We earnestly implore you to assist us in our pursuit of justice.