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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Italy minister warns concert with pro-Putin conductor risks turning into propaganda coup
A concert in Italy by a top Russian conductor shunned in the West since the invasion of Ukraine could send the wrong message, the Italian culture minister said on Tuesday, stopping short of asking organisers to cancel it. Valery Gergiev – regarded as close to Russian President Vladimir Putin – is expected to lead a local orchestra and soloists from St Petersburg's Mariinsky Orchestra on July 27 at the Reggia di Caserta palace near Naples. The event has drawn protests from Italian politicians and international activists, including the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who have all urged Italy to cancel it. 'There is a big problem' with the festival, Yulia Navalnaya wrote in an op-ed on Tuesday's la Repubblica newspaper, calling Gergiev a 'conscious and active accomplice of Putin's regime'. Gergiev, 72, did not immediately comment. Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said in a statement: 'Art is free and cannot be censored. Propaganda, however, even if done with talent, is something else.' The minister said that the concert could 'turn a high-level but objectively controversial and divisive musical event into a sounding board for Russian propaganda'. Giuli added that the centre-left regional authority of Campania, which organised and paid for the 'Un'Estate da RE' festival, was free to choose which events to host. The president of Campania, Vincenzo De Luca, rejected criticism, telling reporters that blocking cultural exchanges 'does not help peace, but only serves to fuel the rivers of hatred'. De Luca, a critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, said last week Gergiev had been invited, along with Israeli conductor Daniel Oren, to keep 'channels of communication open even with those who do not think like us'. Italy's right-wing government has supported Ukraine and international sanctions against Moscow. In 2022, several Western cultural institutions, including Milan's La Scala, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and New York's Carnegie Hall, severed ties with Gergiev over his failure to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A year after, he was made director of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, despite being banished from many international concert halls. Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote last week to the Italian interior minister, urging him to deny entry to Gergiev, and to the culture minister and the director of the Reggia di Caserta asking them to cancel the concert.
Bahrain News Gazette
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Bahrain News Gazette
Russian Seasons in Bahrain Launches at Bahrain National Theatre
Manama: The Russian Seasons in Bahrain, which coincides with the 35th anniversary of Bahrain-Russia diplomatic relations, officially commenced with a concert by the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra at the Bahrain National Theatre. The event was attended by Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Noaimi, Minister of Information, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), and Olga Lyubimova, Russian Minister of Culture. According to Bahrain News Agency, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed emphasised that this cultural initiative reflects the historic cooperation between Bahrain and Russia. He explained that it builds on last November's milestone event, Bahrain's Cultural Days in Moscow, which showcased Bahrain's rich history, culture, and achievements to the Russian audience. He underscored the importance of such initiatives in celebrating the deep historical, cultural, and diplomatic ties between the two nations, highlighting Bahrain's commitment to preserving this legacy through cultural exchange projects. Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed reiterated that the Russian Seasons in Bahrain deepen cultural exchange, strengthen bilateral ties, and enrich Bahrain's cultural scene. He stressed the role of culture in fostering mutual understanding and highlighted the Authority's commitment to establishing Bahrain as a global centre for culture and the arts. Minister Lyubimova emphasised the potential of the collaboration, which aims to provide Bahrain's residents with unforgettable experiences throughout the year, showcasing the finest examples of Russian art. The launch event featured a performance by the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by Artistic and General Director Valery Gergiev. The programme included a selection of iconic Russian and European compositions. The Mariinsky Orchestra, one of Russia's oldest ensembles, has a history spanning over two centuries, originating from the St. Petersburg Imperial Opera Orchestra. The Russian Seasons in Bahrain will continue throughout 2025 with a diverse array of cultural events. In February, The Magic of Animation, presented by SMF Studio, will take place on February 19-20, offering screenings, workshops, and lectures. On February 24, the Bahrain National Theatre will host the State Academic Honored Dance Ensemble of Daghestan, Lezginka. In November, two major performances will captivate audiences. The globally renowned ballet The Nutcracker will grace the stage of the Bahrain National Theatre, while the Ossipov National Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra of Russia will perform at the Cultural Hall, accompanied by a Bahraini folk band. The Russian Seasons are organised by the Russian Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2024 during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's visit to Russia. This partnership also brought Bahrain's Cultural Days in Moscow in November 2024, which included the inauguration of the Treasures of Bahrain: The Art of Gold Crafting Through the Ages exhibition at the State Historical Museum. This exhibition, running until February 2025, showcases the evolution of Bahraini goldsmithing, tracing its journey from the Tylos period over 2000 years ago through the Islamic era and into the modern age.
