The mayor of Kislovodsk, Evgeny Moiseev, demanded that a quote from Honored Artist of the RSFSR, choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov be removed from the wall of the new city choreography school, RBC reports. According to Moiseev, Baryshnikov, who opposes the SVO, cannot be freely quoted during “the struggle that we all, the whole country, the whole of Kislovodsk, are waging for our future, the future of our children and our entire country” (quoted from the mayor’s Telegram channel).
Moiseev believes that only patriots of the country can be used for quotation in Russia, and if Baryshnikov wants his words to be repeated by Russians, then he should support the actions of the Russian army. At the same time, the mayor clarified that the quote will be replaced by one of the “patriots of his native land.” However, the official did not say whose statement and what would be posted on the walls of the choreographic educational institution.
Since 1967, Baryshnikov has been a soloist in the troupe of the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater. Kirov (now the Mariinsky Theater). In 1974, he received asylum in Canada and then began to live in the United States, where he pursued a theatrical career. Baryshnikov became director of the American Ballet Theater and also won an Oscar for his role as Yuri Kopeikin in the film The Turning Point (1977). In 2017, Baryshnikov became a citizen of Latvia.
Previously, the choreographer called not to punish Russian artists and athletes for the actions of the Russian authorities. He also stated his disagreement with the Kremlin’s policies, citing the words of Pope Francis about the unacceptability of cruelty and violence.
Source: Rosbalt
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