Italy called the cancellation of Gergiev's concert in Caserta a disgrace for Rome

Michele Geraci, former Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Italy, said in an interview with Izvestia on July 28 that the cancellation of a concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev in Caserta was a disgrace to official Rome.

"I think that the cancellation of the concert of conductor Gergiev in Caserta is a disgrace for Italy. I am really ashamed of the decision of the leadership of Caserta, which, of course, felt pressure from the government, even if the government did not officially make any decision," Geraci said.

The politician expressed the opinion that during periods of geopolitical tension, Italy needs to "strengthen communication between people, artists, writers, cinematographers, athletes, students and professors." However, Italian society instead prefers only to pretend to be "free, open and liberal."

"We are not discussing the validity of the causes of this geopolitical problem. We're just discussing why we ban artists from performing just because they have one opinion and not another. This means that our society is drifting towards censorship and illiberal values," the deputy minister added.

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The local media has already called the government's decision a "return of fascism."

A similar opinion was expressed earlier that day by Italian tenor Giovanni Ribiquezu, who works as a guest soloist in the Mariinsky Theatre Company. He told Izvestia that the cancellation of a performance by Gergiev and the Verdi Theater Orchestra from Salerno with the participation of musicians from the Mariinsky Theater in Caserta was a disgrace for which he was ashamed, as an Italian. According to the artist, now the Italian authorities are following the current, and when the geopolitical escalation ends, "everyone will pretend that nothing happened."

The Italian news agency ANSA reported on July 27 that the management of the Royal Palace of Caserta in Italy canceled the symphony concert of the conductor and general director of the Bolshoi Theater Valery Gergiev. The concert was scheduled for July 27 as part of the Un'estate da Re festival. It was clarified that the Russian conductor is being criticized for his public support of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.