A classical concert in Italy featuring Russian conductor Valery Gergiev has been cancelled following strong criticism from Italian politicians and international human rights activists. The event was scheduled for July 27 at the Reggia di Caserta, an 18th-century royal palace near Naples. Gergiev, who leads St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre, is widely known for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has faced boycotts in the West since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The cancellation was announced in a short statement by the venue without any official explanation. However, opposition had been growing, especially after Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, denounced Gergiev as an “accomplice” of Putin. She called the cancellation “good news,” stating that Europe should not host artists who support dictatorships.
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Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli welcomed the decision, saying it reflected “common sense” and a commitment to protecting democratic values. He noted that although Gergiev is a talented artist, his presence could have been seen as enabling Russian propaganda. The decision was supported by those who see cultural diplomacy as inappropriate when linked to regimes at odds with European values.
Despite the criticism, the regional government of Campania had initially defended the concert. Governor Vincenzo De Luca argued that artists should not be punished for their nationality or political silence. He compared it to a recent performance by Israeli conductor Daniel Oren, stating that cultural dialogue should remain open even during conflict.
Valery Gergiev, 72, said he received no direct information about the cancellation. Russian state media TASS reported his surprise at the sudden decision. He has not publicly commented further. The Russian ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, criticized the move, saying Italy had given in to a “pro-Ukraine lobby.” He dismissed the idea that canceling a concert would impact Russia’s global standing, calling such hopes “deeply mistaken.”
The backlash reflects broader tensions across Europe, where cultural institutions have increasingly distanced themselves from Russian figures seen as close to the Kremlin. In 2022, Gergiev was dropped by several major organizations including the Munich Philharmonic, New York’s Carnegie Hall, and Milan’s La Scala. His refusal to condemn the Ukraine invasion made him a controversial figure in the global arts community.
Supporters of the cancellation view it as a moral stand, rejecting the idea of separating art from politics when national identity and war are involved. Italian Culture Minister Giuli praised the event organizers for making the decision “freely,” emphasizing that upholding values like freedom and democracy must take priority, even in the arts.
Meanwhile, critics of the decision, including regional leader De Luca, argued that culture should serve as a bridge, not a barrier. He maintained that hosting artists from various nations, even those under criticism, can foster dialogue rather than deepen divides. Nonetheless, public pressure ultimately led to the reversal.
The case reflects ongoing debates in Europe over how to handle cultural relations with Russia during wartime. For many, Gergiev’s silence on the war makes his involvement in public events unacceptable. Others worry such cancellations may limit open expression and cultural diplomacy. But in this case, the prevailing mood was clear: there is little space for neutrality when lives are at stake.
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