From Eurovision to exile: The starkly different fates of two Belarusian brothers
Two brothers from a working-class Minsk family took very different paths in life. Andrey and Alexey Khlyastov both trained in industrial lighting but pursued contrasting career choices—one in music, the other in obscurity. While Alexey rose to fame, Andrey’s story remains largely untold.
Born into a family with no musical background, the Khlyastov brothers initially followed similar educational routes. Both attended vocational school, specialising in industrial lighting. Andrey completed his training, but Alexey soon shifted focus.
Andrey’s musical journey began with the Ravyesnik ensemble at Minsk’s Pioneer Palace. Though details of his later career are scarce, this early involvement marked his only known public performance. His current whereabouts remain undocumented, with no reliable information about his residence or activities.
Alexey, however, joined the same Ravyesnik ensemble before achieving national recognition. He performed at prestigious events like Slavianski Bazaar and New Wave. In 2010, he represented Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest, solidifying his status as a prominent artist.
But Alexey’s career faced a sharp decline in 2023. He was blacklisted in Belarus, barring him from all performances, including corporate gigs. Now, he works as a taxi driver, a stark contrast to his earlier fame.
The Khlyastov brothers’ lives reflect two very different trajectories. Alexey’s rise and fall in music ended with a ban and a shift to driving taxis. Andrey, after early artistic steps, disappeared from public view entirely. Neither brother’s path aligned with their original vocational training.
