Italy's Controversial Decision to Host Pro-Putin Conductor Gergiev Amid War Tensions

Sun Oct 19 2025 01:47:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Valery Gergiev, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, is set to perform in southern Italy, raising debates around cultural influence and political responsibility.

The Campania region in southern Italy has invited conductor Valery Gergiev, a known supporter of Vladimir Putin, to perform despite widespread criticism. Italian officials argue that culture should remain separate from politics, while opponents view Gergiev as a Kremlin propagandist. This decision comes amid rising tensions in Ukraine and resistance against pro-Kremlin artists in Europe.

Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, known for his close ties to President Vladimir Putin, will return to Europe for a concert in the Campania region of southern Italy later this month, despite facing a ban since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Gergiev, who has notably not condemned the war, is set to perform at the Un'Estate da RE festival, drawing significant backlash from political figures and activists alike.

Vincenzo de Luca, the governor of Campania, defended the concert by stating, "Culture… must not be influenced by politics and political logic." He has previously criticized the broader European ban on pro-Putin artists, labeling it as "a moment of stupidity." Gergiev's invitation has been met with accusations of hypocrisy from Ukrainian human rights activists, while European Parliament's Pina Picierno decried it as "absolutely unacceptable," labeling him a "cultural mouthpiece for Putin."

Gergiev’s reputation in Europe took a dramatic turn following Russia's military aggression. Just hours before the invasion began on February 24, 2022, he performed at Milan's La Scala opera house, where he remained silent when urged to denounce the war, leading to his removal from concert schedules across Europe. His absence from European stages since has been a point of contention, given his historically strong ties with Putin and the Kremlin.

Picierno warned that Gergiev’s return is not a matter of Russophobia but a recognition of the numerous talented Russian artists who refuse to be associated with the Kremlin’s aggressive policies. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has consistently criticized Putin but supported the Un'Estate da RE festival that invited Gergiev. A senior member of her party, Alfredo Antoniozzi, defended Gergiev, arguing against punishing artists for their government’s actions, claiming it amounts to "cultural genocide."

While Canada has barred Gergiev from entry and frozen his assets, the European Union has not imposed formal sanctions against him. The European Commission urged caution in providing platforms to artists supporting Russia's aggression. Activists from Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation have called for the cancelation of Gergiev's concert and urged the Italian government to deny him entry.

Despite the outcry, the expression of Gergiev's artistry is set to continue, with festival organizers expressing confidence that the concert will proceed as planned. The controversy surrounding his invitation underscores the complex interplay between culture and politics as Europe continues to grapple with the implications of Russia's actions in Ukraine.