Campania Governor Defends Russian Conductor’s Concert
(MENAFN) Vincenzo De Luca, the head of Italy’s Campania region, has declined to withdraw Valery Gergiev from an upcoming musical event, despite appeals from European Union authorities. Gergiev, a prominent Russian maestro, has drawn controversy for his position regarding the war in Ukraine.
Nevertheless, he remains scheduled to perform on July 27 at the Un’Estate da RE festival in Caserta, sharing the stage with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Salerno and vocalists from Russia’s Mariinsky Theater.
The news of Gergiev’s appearance ignited strong opposition in Brussels. European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno urged organizers to substitute the conductor, condemning De Luca for “financing a supporter of a criminal regime.”
Meanwhile, European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova issued a caution to cultural institutions across Europe, advising them to avoid giving platforms to those “who justify Kremlin aggression.”
Responding through a string of social media posts, De Luca firmly resisted the pressure to exclude the Russian artist. Emphasizing the unifying role of artistic expression, he stated, “Culture and art are spaces where dialogue can flourish and the values of human solidarity can take root.”
He further highlighted Campania’s tradition as “a region of unity” that encourages “encounters between people of diverse sensibilities.”
Despite the controversy, De Luca appears committed to allowing the performance to proceed as planned, standing by his belief in the power of culture to bridge divides.
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