Russia protests cancellation of 'Putin's Ballerina' performance... "Political Hostage"

Russian Ballet Star Zakharova's Korea Tour Canceled
Agency Cites "Safety Issues"... Russian Embassy "Cannot Understand"

Controversy is intensifying over the cancellation of the South Korea tour performance of Svetlana Zakharova, a famous Russian ballerina considered a close cultural aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The organizers stated that it was a "measure taken for safety," but the Russian side is protesting, calling it a "political reason."

Earlier on the 15th, the performance planning company InArts Production announced the cancellation of the performance "MoDance," featuring Zakharova and principal dancers of the Bolshoi Ballet, which was scheduled to be held at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 17th and 19th to 21st of next month.

Svetlana Zakharova Photo by InArts Production

InArts Production stated in a notice, "We decided to cancel due to recent concerns about the safety of artists and audiences and at the request of the Arts Center." The Seoul Arts Center also explained, "We decided to cancel in agreement with the planning company as a precaution against any possible safety issues."

However, the Russian Embassy in Korea issued a statement saying, "Cooperation in the field of culture and arts should not become a hostage to political games."

The embassy emphasized, "The West continues its futile attempts to isolate Russia, trying to deprive people of the right to experience world-class art. Attempts to politicize purely cultural events will not be understood by the people of the Republic of Korea."

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the West has continued to boycott Russian artists. Valery Gergiev, a conductor considered pro-Putin, was dismissed from his position as music director of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany, and world-renowned soprano Anna Netrebko faced permanent exclusion from the performance scene until she issued an anti-war message.

Svetlana Zakharova, a world-class dancer who has won the Benois de la Danse, considered the Academy Award of the dance world, twice, is also one of Putin's close cultural aides and is nicknamed "Putin's ballerina." She has a history of being a member of the United Russia Party led by President Putin and participated in signing in support of Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.

Zakharova receiving the Order of Merit for the Fatherland from President Putin in April 2019
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In response, the Ukrainian Embassy in Korea issued a statement on the 4th saying, "Zakharova's performance is tantamount to justifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine and belittling the suffering of the Ukrainian people."

Therefore, it was somewhat predictable that this South Korea tour performance would cause controversy. The performance was planned before the COVID-19 pandemic but was delayed, and controversy had already arisen that the timing was inappropriate due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Additionally, there are concerns that the repercussions may continue as a performance by dancers from a Russian ballet company is scheduled to visit South Korea in the first half of this year. The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is also reportedly closely monitoring public opinion regarding whether to proceed with the "Bolshoi Ballet Gala Concert 2024," scheduled for the 16th to 18th of next month.

Meanwhile, Zakharova expressed her feelings through local media the day before, saying, "I confirmed that the Seoul performance was canceled not by the organizers but at the government level, that is, by the Ministry of Culture," adding, "It is regrettable that everything was canceled for the organizers, the audience who purchased tickets, and for us as well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.