Two performances of Russian ballerina Zakharova were canceled at a gala concert in Rome

Two performances by the Russian prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater Svetlana Zakharova, which she was supposed to give as part of the big gala concert of the stars of the world ballet Les Etoiles in Rome, were canceled. This was confirmed by a message from the organizers of the event on March 17.

According to the materials reviewed by RIA Novosti, the artist was invited to Italy based on the principles of regarding dance and art as a gesture of dialogue and love. She, as emphasized in the text, was not included in the sanctions lists and was summoned to the country to speak on March 20 and 21 in accordance with the law. This fact, however, was sharply perceived by unnamed institutions.

"The organizers of Les Étoiles have received messages from institutions and sincere, painful messages that emphasize the symbolic responsibility of cultural institutions in the current context. <...> For these reasons, strongly reaffirming their respect for the freedom of expression of artists and their opposition to any form of discrimination based on nationality, the organizers announce that they have withdrawn the invitation addressed to the ballerina, and that, contrary to earlier statements, Svetlana Zakharova will not participate in the gala evening," the statement said.

It is emphasized that the decision was made to avoid the risks of misinterpretation of the entire festival. The bridge for the dialogue of cultures, as suggested by the inviting party, which she is allegedly trying to build, in the event of Zakharova's arrival, despite the sharp reaction, "could collapse."

"I couldn't stand it and said, 'And now my sanctions!'

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Zakharova's performances in Italy have already been canceled on January 9th. At the end of the month, she was scheduled to give a concert in Florence at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale. Then representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine sent their disagreement with the planned and the invitation of the Russian woman was also canceled.

Later, on February 10, Russian Ambassador to Rome Alexei Paramonov, commenting on the demands of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission to cancel events potentially involving Russian citizens, said that Kiev was interfering in the internal cultural processes of other countries. According to him, Ukrainian diplomatic officials are sending threatening messages to the authorities.

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