Pro-Russian ballerina Zakharova was not allowed on stage in Florence: details of the scandal.

According to ТСН: The ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, originally from Lutsk but who actively supports the policies of the Kremlin dictator, encountered troubles in Italy due to her views.

Zakharova planned to perform at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino theater in Florence. However, Ukrainian activists, notably from the Communities Army Of Ukraine, were outraged by her presence as she openly supports the war in Ukraine. As a result, the activists along with diplomats managed to have her performance canceled.

The activists appealed to the theater's management, the Florence city administration, and the Italian Ministry of Culture, as well as some Italian politicians who supported this initiative. They emphasized that it is unacceptable to grant a stage to artists who support Putin's regime and military aggression against Ukraine.

Ultimately, Svetlana Zakharova's performance was canceled, as reported on the official website of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino theater. Her husband, violinist Vadim Repin, also fell under the ban, with his performance being canceled as well.

Svetlana Zakharova, a native of Lutsk, received her education at the Kyiv Choreographic College and then moved to Russia, where she remained. She actively developed her career in ballet and publicly supported the annexation of Crimea and military actions in eastern Ukraine, as well as the full-scale war. Since January 2023, Zakharova has been under sanctions by the National Security and Defense Council for her anti-Ukrainian activities.

This incident is yet another situation where the international community decides to put an end to the support of Ukrainian aggressors. Calls from activists are growing louder, and this resonates in the cultural environment. As this case shows, artists who support aggression may face consequences for their beliefs, even outside their home country.