A loud techno rave will be held in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Will the animals panic, and will the birds sit on their eggs?

Illustrative photo. Photo: "Onliner"

The party will start at 9 PM and continue until 2 AM. A free shuttle will transport guests from the main gate of the National Park to the venue and back.

Here's how the organizers themselves announce the event:

"MAGIC OF THE FOREST AND ENERGY OF TECHNO

On April 18, Belovezhskaya Pushcha will transform into the epicenter of electronic music. We invite you to a unique techno rave in the heart of the legendary forest — at Ded Moroz's Estate! Imagine: ancient trees, the nocturnal illumination of a fairy-tale manor, and powerful beats piercing the silence of the night. This isn't just a party; it's an immersion into another reality."

However, the techno rave received a mixed reaction on social media. Many are concerned about how such a noisy event will affect the animals of the forest:

"It's spring now, birds are nesting, many animals are rutting... What kind of raves with powerful sound?"

"The birds will be thrilled, the other animals will be in ecstasy too."

"Techno booming in a reserve during nesting season."

"I love raves, I love techno, I love open-airs, but really... In Belovezhskaya Pushcha – that's just too much."

Just look at the map: the estate is literally submerged in the forest. Around it — no development, no "buffer zone". The nearest small village is approximately two kilometers away.

But there are also those who believe that the party should not harm the animals inhabiting the areas near its location:

"Ded Moroz's Estate has been filled with people for about 20 years. It's always noisy there, especially during New Year holidays. It's not located in the deep forest."

"This probably won't take place in a conservation area. And where permission has been granted, something probably happens on a regular basis (in fact, this is indicated). And some celebration like a wedding can be much noisier (due to fireworks, for example)."

"The sound level at techno raves usually ranges from 100 to 120 decibels. A shotgun blast, on average, creates a sound of 140 to 170 dB. The noise level from a lightning strike (thunder) is extremely high: in close proximity, it is about 120-140 dB, reaching the human pain threshold. In case of particularly close strikes or special conditions, the sound pressure level can briefly exceed 165-200. Question: what is more likely to stop the heart of a poor animal?"

"The event is not planned to be in animal enclosures, everything is thought out. The venue is far from the animals."

And what does a zoologist think about this event?

"The worst thing is that everything will take place at night. While animals might anticipate some abrupt sounds during the day, at night they are completely defenseless."

"Ded Moroz's Estate is located in the very center of the forest, where there is a great diversity of species. And because spring is early this year, many birds are already sitting on their eggs. Loud music can scare away females, causing them to abandon their nests and not return."

"Another point that worried me is that a shuttle will be running at night along the road near the forest. Wild animals are active at this time, they might come out onto the roadway and thus provoke accidents," shares Aliaksandr Vincheuski, a representative of the "Wild Nature" company.

Organizers: "Cancellation is not planned"

Journalists also turned to the "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" National Park for a comment on the situation. And here's what they replied:

"Currently, together with the Ministry of Nature, we are resolving issues regarding the event; cancellation is not planned. The techno rave will take place in the recreational zone, Ded Moroz's Estate is a tourist attraction. It is more than one kilometer away from the strictly protected area. In addition, there are buildings there that will absorb noise. We measured its level — everything is within the norm. In the near future, we will provide people with a more detailed explanation of the situation."

On April 7, the administration of "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" National Park issued an official statement:

"During the preparation of the cultural and entertainment event "Techno Rave" in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, environmental legislation norms were initially taken into account. The performance of musical groups will take place in the center of the recreational zone at the park's tourist facility, "The Estate of Belarusian Ded Moroz." It is located more than 1 km away from the strictly protected area."

Moreover, the organizers have technically developed a sound distribution system in such a way that it will be directed towards the center of the venue where the event will take place. Approximately no more than 700 people will be able to participate.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park in its activities is guided by the principles of preserving unique natural complexes, flora, fauna, and the historical and cultural heritage of the territory. Also, taking into account scientifically justified permissible recreational load and compliance with environmental legislation norms, the national park actively develops the infrastructure for event tourism and mass recreation.

In particular, the park administration expands the network of ecological and educational routes, organizes various festivals, thematic holidays, interactive programs, and seasonal events. This contributes to the development of domestic tourism, increasing its contribution to both the institution's economy and the state as a whole. Event tourism allows attracting a wide flow of visitors, forming a well-known brand of the territory, and developing it without harming its conservation mission.

During the cultural and entertainment event "Techno Rave," all necessary conditions to prevent harm to nature will be implemented."

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