In October, we shared the outrage of Kateryna, a Ukrainian student and refugee in France, over the invitation extended by the Philharmonie de Paris to Russian soprano Anna Netrebko.
Today, Netrebko has been invited once again, this time to perform at the Opéra Bastille in the heart of Paris. Not only has she been welcomed back to France, but she is also scheduled for performances from January 16 to 25, 2024.
As previously highlighted, Netrebko has expressed clear support for Vladimir Putin and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. This includes slogans encouraging the Russian army to invade Europe (“To Berlin!” in 2022, during the launch of the invasion of Ukraine) and donations to institutions in the so-called “DNR,” including the Russian-occupied opera house in Donetsk.
The values represented by this individual stand in stark opposition to those upheld by France and Stand With Ukraine. We therefore stand once again with Kateryna and all Ukrainians in calling for the cancellation of Netrebko’s upcoming performances in Paris.
