Italian governor defies EU calls to cancel renowned Russian conductor — RT Entertainment

Vincenzo De Luca, the governor of the Italian region of Campania, has refused to cancel a performance by Valery Gergiev despite pressure from EU officials, who have criticized the renowned Russian conductor for his stance on the Ukraine conflict.

Gergiev is scheduled to perform at the Un’Estate da RE festival in Caserta on July 27, alongside the Philharmonic Orchestra of Salerno and soloists from Russia’s Mariinsky Theater.

The announcement of his performance sparked a backlash in Brussels. European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno has called for Gergiev to be replaced, accusing De Luca of “financing a supporter of a criminal regime” by inviting the conductor. European Commission spokeswoman Eva Hrncirova also chimed in, warning European venues against hosting individuals “who justify Kremlin aggression.”

In a series of statements on social media, De Luca rejected calls to ban the Russian conductor.

“Culture and art are spaces where dialogue can flourish and the values of human solidarity can take root,” he wrote, adding that “Campania is a region of unity” which has always promoted “encounters between people of diverse sensibilities.”

In a separate video address, he spoke out against mixing politics and culture. “The world of culture, art, and sports must remain free from politics and political agendas. It should be a space where dialogue, solidarity, and mutual understanding among people and nations can grow,” he said, adding that he will not cancel the performance.

Picierno renewed her attacks on De Luca and Gergiev on Friday, calling it unacceptable to host people who back the Kremlin. Nevertheless, the concert will go ahead as planned, Italian media and the BBC reported on Saturday, citing sources close to the organizers and the conductor’s spokesman.

Gergiev, one of Russia’s most acclaimed musicians, was ousted from the Munich Philharmonic and banned across the West in 2022 after refusing to denounce Russia’s military operation against the Kiev regime. Carnegie Hall, the Met Opera, and other major venues also canceled performances by Gergiev and other Russian artists with any public ties to Moscow’s policies regarding Ukraine. Moscow has condemned the bans as Russophobic censorship, saying efforts to “cancel” Russian culture will fail.