In a bizarre new speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russian culture is being “canceled” by western countries.
Putin argued that western Europe and the U.S. are trying to “cancel” Russia’s rich history and culture the same way Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has been canceled for her views on gender roles.
Putin talked about what he sees as discrimination against Russia by western countries citing Russian composers and authors being banned.
Since Putin sent troops to invade Ukraine, western countries have piled on sanctions that have further isolated Russia. But some of the strongest actions have come from cultural institutions.
Conductor Valery Gergiev was dismissed as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic and lost the chance to conduct La Scala, a historic opera house in Milan, after he refused to condemn his country’s invasion. The Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra dropped a Russian composer’s pieces and similar moves were taken in Japan, Croatia and Spain. The Cardiff Philharmonic responded to criticism by saying, “basic humanity takes precedence over art and history.”
