Concert of Putin Ally Gergiev Faces Cancellation Amid Criticism in Italy

The recent decision to cancel Gergiev's performance emerges from a wave of dissent against his affiliations with the Kremlin and his silence on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting increasing tensions over the intersection of art and politics.

Organizers of the Un'Estate da RE music festival in Italy have officially canceled a highly publicized concert scheduled for later this month featuring the controversial Russian conductor Valery Gergiev. This decision follows an outcry from human rights activists and critics of the Kremlin, who labeled Gergiev, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, as an unsavory representative of the Russian state.

The 72-year-old conductor was slated to lead an ensemble from St Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre at a historic venue, the Royal Palace of Caserta, near Naples. However, Gergiev has faced a ban from many prominent Western stages due to his refusal to condemn Russia's actions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli called the organizers' decision a demonstration of "common sense" and a safeguard of the "values of the free world." While the Royal Palace of Caserta did not provide specific reasons for the cancellation on the 27th of July, the decision coincides with wider sentiments across Europe, particularly as Italy hosted various heads of state expressing support for Ukraine and deliberating future assistance.

Ukraine had specifically urged the festival's organizers to rescind Gergiev's invitation, characterizing him as "Putin's mouthpiece" and asserting that he should not be welcomed until the atrocities committed by Russian forces cease. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, praised the cancellation as "good news" on social media, emphasizing that no artist supporting the current regime should find a platform in Europe.

Conversely, the Russian ambassador to Italy condemned the cancellation, describing it as a "scandalous situation" and part of a broader "cancel culture" aimed at Russian artistic expressions. Once celebrated in esteemed venues like Milan's La Scala and Carnegie Hall, Gergiev’s connections have deteriorated significantly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

The recent uproar over Gergiev's scheduled appearance evokes deeper discussions about the role of culture in geopolitics, especially as strong vocal critics of Putin, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, still support festivals promoting Russian culture. As artists, venues, and nations navigate these complex waters, Gergiev's cancellation serves as a symbol of the ongoing struggle between artistic expression and political accountability.