All articles tagged with #valery gergiev
A planned concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev in Italy was canceled amid criticism due to his support for Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reflecting broader Western cultural sanctions and protests against Russian political actions.
Valery Gergiev, a prominent supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, has been chosen to lead the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, replacing Vladimir Urin. Gergiev's appointment expands his dominance in Russian culture and comes after Urin spoke out against the war in Ukraine. Gergiev will serve a five-year term and expressed his intention for the Bolshoi to focus on working within Russia. This move by Putin rewards a renowned musician and staunch ally who has endorsed his re-election and promoted his policies.
Russian artists who are shunned in the West due to their alignment with President Vladimir Putin are finding a warm welcome in China, as Russia seeks to rebuild its soft power and cultural ties with friendly nations. The Mariinsky Orchestra, led by Valery Gergiev, recently completed its first foreign tour since Russia invaded Ukraine, receiving a hero's welcome in Beijing. While Russia's attempts to use culture to soften its image abroad face significant challenges, even in friendly countries, experts say, China's legions of concertgoers and skepticism of Western ideals make it an attractive market for Russian artists aligned with Mr. Putin.