Ukrainians in Switzerland Protest Against Netrebko's Performances: Government's Reaction.

According to Korrespondent.net: The Ukrainian Embassy in Switzerland and the Ukrainian community in Zurich urged local authorities and the management of the Zurich Opera to cancel the performances of Russian singer Anna Netrebko scheduled for November 2. Diplomats emphasize that the presence of an artist who supports the aggressor contradicts European values and offends Ukrainians.

What Happened

The Ukrainian embassy in Switzerland published an open letter from Ambassador Irina Venediktova, signed by more than 90 prominent figures, including athletes Andriy Shevchenko, Yaroslav Maguchyi, Olga Kharlan, Elina Svitolina, Nobel laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, as well as cultural figures, members of the Swiss National Council and Ukrainian parliamentarians. The statement emphasizes that cultural institutions have the right to independence, but providing a stage to an artist who supports the aggressor is 'whitewashing crimes' and a painful signal for Ukrainians.

'When Russian drones are "testing" European airspace... is it time to applaud Russian "cultural" drones that extend their tentacles into your hearts?'

Government and Opera's Reaction

The embassy reported that it had contacted the Minister of Culture, held consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and met with the president of the opera, Markus Notter, and the artistic director, Matthias Schulz. Letters were also sent to the opera's sponsors, cantonal and municipal authorities of Zurich, as well as members of the Federal Assembly. In response, representatives of the opera and some officials call for 'separating politics and culture' and mention Netrebko's anti-war position in 2022, where she did not directly name the aggressor.

Community Actions

The Ukrainian Students' Association in Zurich, with the support of the embassy, launched a petition 'No Stage for Propaganda: Stop Netrebko's Performances'. Last Saturday, a demonstration took place near the Zurich Opera, where participants set up an installation featuring portraits of cultural figures from Ukraine who died as a result of Russian aggression, emphasizing that 'freedom of art should not justify war.'

Context

The Ukrainian embassy has already succeeded in canceling Netrebko's concerts in Vaduz (2023) and Lucerne (2024). This time her performances remain listed, but pressure from diplomats and the community is growing. In October, Netrebko performed in Naples and London, returning to major stages after temporary restrictions introduced in the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion.

What Next

The further decision regarding concerts in Zurich depends on the reactions of the authorities, the management of the opera, and sponsors. Ukrainian diplomats hope that Switzerland, despite its traditional neutrality, will not remain indifferent to the ethical side of this issue.

'This is not censorship, but responsibility. Culture cannot be a guise for indifference.'

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