The director of the Gaza Strip group, Privalov, responded to calls to ban the group's songs

Alexey Privalov, the last director of the Gaza Strip group, spoke out against a possible ban on the band's work on September 17 in a conversation with Izvestia.

"People's love [for the band] does not cool down. <...> 25 years have already passed since the death of Yura Klinsky," Privalov said.

At the same time, the band's songs remain in demand. So, Privalov noted that "civilian lyrics are very popular, even at the front in the trenches, people sing songs of the Gaza Strip.

Privalov attaches particular importance to the band's historic performance on Red Square in 1999.

"It was one of the culminating points in the band's history. I was on stage. It was Victory Day. There was such trust in us that we closed the holiday with fireworks with such songs as "It's Time to go home", "Fog" — songs of a high civic degree, beloved by the people," he said.

Regarding the content of the lyrics, Privalov explained that the lyrics have never been political, "and there is a minimum of mat in the band's compositions." As a compromise, he suggested using profanity if necessary.

Earlier that day, the media reported that Nina Ostanina, head of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Fatherhood, Motherhood and Childhood, announced her intention to ban the work of the Gaza Strip. It was indicated that the State Duma Committee intends to consider this issue in the near future.

Ostanina later denied information about her call to ban the work of the Gaza Strip group. She clarified that she advocates for compliance with the law, namely for labeling 18+ and against matting on music venues. But we are talking about individual compositions, and not about banning the music of the "Gaza Strip" entirely.

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