Russian artists proclaim their rejection of the war and suspend their shows in the country: “I cannot entertain when missiles fall on Ukraine”

Every day since the invasion of Ukraine began, new voices of culture in Russia clearly say “No to war”. In this sense, Evgeny Kissin, a Russian pianist, affirms that “war always brings sadness, tears, blood and the death of thousands of people”. Firm condemnation is also made by the conductor Vasily Petrenko: “I have decided to suspend my work in Russia as conductor of the State Symphony Orchestra until peace is restored”, he announced.

In the same line, Russian rapper Oxxxymiron has canceled his concerts: “I can not entertain the public when Russian missiles fall on Ukraine.” And he is joined by the DDT band with a “No to war” in all their social networks.

The performing arts also rebel. The directors of the Bolshoi theater in Moscow and the Alexandrinsky theater in Saint Petersburg have signed a manifesto of rejection along with twenty well-known actors, actresses and stage directors: “We don’t want a new war, we don’t want people to die,” they point out in the text.

In addition, two Russian artists selected to attend the next Venice Biennale have already announced that they will not attend: “There’s no place for art when civilians die under missile fire,” they said.

For its part, the museum Garage of Contemporary Art of Moscow has paralyzed its activity and has exhibited its rejection of the war: “We are categorically opposed to each and every one of the actions that sow division and create isolation.”

Likewise, the director of the Meyerhold cultural center left her post a few days ago with a forceful message to Putin: “It is impossible to work for a murderer and receive a salary from him,” he said in a Facebook post.

In this way, much of Russian culture unites against the attacks. Precisely, this union was staged by two sopranos, one Russian and one Ukrainian, with a hug at the opera house in Naples a few days ago. It is the embrace of Russian culture to show and prove that they are with the Ukrainian people.