The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine calls on the Mayor of Rome and the Director of the Rome Opera House to cancel the performances of russian opera singer Anna Netrebko at the Rome Opera.
“The voice of propaganda” should not be heard in the world. We consider any cooperation with the carriers of hostile narratives, among whom russian cultural figures hold a “prominent” place, to be unacceptable. The aggressor uses art as a method to justify numerous war crimes, including the killing of Ukrainian civilians, massive and targeted strikes on residential buildings, infrastructure facilities, institutions, and cultural landmarks.
Cultural representatives of the aggressor country have no place on the world’s leading stages. Efforts to help russia spread imperial narratives are an attempt to undermine the horrors of war and legitimize russian crimes in Ukraine.
Ukraine deeply values the support Italy has provided to our country from the first days of the full-scale war, at the state level, local government, and by every citizen. We are confident that the scheduled performances of the russian singer are a regrettable mistake.
Anna Netrebko publicly supports putin’s regime and the annexation of Crimea, thus she is a bearer of russian imperial ideology and an accomplice in russia’s crimes. The international community must not allow russian propaganda to extend its influence over the citizens of a civilized society that does not tolerate any manifestations of aggression.
