Italy Urged To Cancel Concert Led By Putin-Aligned Conductor
Yulia Navalnaya called on Italy to cancel a July 27 concert featuring Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, citing his close ties with Vladimir Putin.
In an op-ed for la Repubblica, Navalnaya criticized the festival organizers for inviting Gergiev, whom she described as “Putin’s cultural ambassador.” She questioned how Italy could allow such a figure to perform “three years after the start of the war and one year after my husband was killed in a Russian prison.”
Navalnaya’s Anti-Corruption Foundation also sent letters to Italy’s interior and culture ministers, urging them to revoke the invitation and deny Gergiev entry.
Western venues like La Scala, the Munich Philharmonic, and Carnegie Hall cut ties with Gergiev in 2022 over his refusal to distance himself from Russia’s war in Ukraine. He was appointed director of Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre in 2023, a position seen by critics as a reward for loyalty to the Kremlin.
Italian Officials Defend “Cultural Dialogue”
The regional governor of Campania, Vincenzo De Luca, defended the concert, arguing it reflects a policy of “open communication” — even with those whose political views differ. He noted that Israeli conductor Daniel Oren was also invited, and insisted that “artists should not be judged for their governments’ actions.”
Italy’s right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has supported Ukraine diplomatically and militarily since the war began. However, her office and the Ministry of Culture declined to comment on the controversy.
The debate over Gergiev’s participation has stirred a broader discussion in Italy over whether cultural platforms should be used for figures aligned with authoritarian regimes. With the concert date approaching, pressure is growing on the government to take a clear stance.