The cancellation reflects strong opposition against figures associated with the Kremlin following Russia's actions in Ukraine, raising questions about cultural ties with Russia.
Concert featuring Putin ally Gergiev canceled amid public outcry in Italy
Concert featuring Putin ally Gergiev canceled amid public outcry in Italy
Organizers of a major Italian music festival have withdrawn a concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev following intense criticism and humanitarian appeals.
The organizers of the Un'Estate da RE festival in Italy have decisively canceled the planned concert featuring Valery Gergiev, a prominent Russian conductor known for his close ties to President Vladimir Putin. This decision came amid mounting protests from critics of the Kremlin and human rights advocates, who voiced their concerns over Gergiev’s previous refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Scheduled to conduct the performance with an Italian orchestra at a historical site near Naples on July 27, Gergiev has faced exclusion from Western venues in the wake of the invasion. Commenting on the cancellation, Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli stated that it aligns with "common sense" and emphasizes the protection of "the values of the free world."
The Royal Palace of Caserta, the venue for the performance, did not provide an official reason for the event's cancellation. However, Ukraine previously urged festival organizers to reconsider Gergiev's participation, describing him as "Putin's mouthpiece" and asserting that he should not be welcomed until Russian forces cease their "atrocities."
Reacting to the news, Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, expressed her approval of the cancellation on social media, reaffirming that no artist supporting the current Russian regime should find a platform in Europe.
In contrast, Moscow's ambassador to Italy decried the cancellation as "scandalous," claiming it is part of a broader trend to "cancel" Russian cultural figures. Gergiev, who has directed both the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, used to perform regularly in prestigious venues across the West until the geopolitical climate shifted dramatically since early 2022.
The controversy surrounding the concert came to a head last week, coinciding with Italy's hosting of European leaders gathering to show solidarity with Ukraine and lay out plans for the country’s reconstruction post-conflict. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been vocal in her criticism of Putin since the outset of the invasion, although the culture ministry previously supported the Un'Estate da RE festival, which put them at the center of this contentious debate over cultural and political affiliations.
Scheduled to conduct the performance with an Italian orchestra at a historical site near Naples on July 27, Gergiev has faced exclusion from Western venues in the wake of the invasion. Commenting on the cancellation, Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli stated that it aligns with "common sense" and emphasizes the protection of "the values of the free world."
The Royal Palace of Caserta, the venue for the performance, did not provide an official reason for the event's cancellation. However, Ukraine previously urged festival organizers to reconsider Gergiev's participation, describing him as "Putin's mouthpiece" and asserting that he should not be welcomed until Russian forces cease their "atrocities."
Reacting to the news, Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, expressed her approval of the cancellation on social media, reaffirming that no artist supporting the current Russian regime should find a platform in Europe.
In contrast, Moscow's ambassador to Italy decried the cancellation as "scandalous," claiming it is part of a broader trend to "cancel" Russian cultural figures. Gergiev, who has directed both the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, used to perform regularly in prestigious venues across the West until the geopolitical climate shifted dramatically since early 2022.
The controversy surrounding the concert came to a head last week, coinciding with Italy's hosting of European leaders gathering to show solidarity with Ukraine and lay out plans for the country’s reconstruction post-conflict. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been vocal in her criticism of Putin since the outset of the invasion, although the culture ministry previously supported the Un'Estate da RE festival, which put them at the center of this contentious debate over cultural and political affiliations.
