Sweden is reevaluating its cultural ties with Russia. Eight concert halls across the country have canceled performances by The Heritage Ballet (St. Petersburg) following an investigation into connections with the Russian military. Source: Sweden Herald
The planned performances of the ballet productions Swan Lake and The Nutcracker were scheduled to take place in eight Swedish cities. However, after media exposure and public protests, an investigation revealed suspicious financial and organizational links to the Kremlin.
Representatives of the concert halls stated that they do not wish to provide their venues for the propaganda of an aggressor state, especially since The Heritage Ballet’s performers have not publicly expressed a stance on the war in Ukraine.
An investigation was conducted to determine whether the Czech company organizing the tour had connections to Kremlin-linked structures. The findings were inconclusive in ruling out such ties.
The general director of the ballet troupe owns another company registered at an address linked to Russian military institutions. The leadership also has ties to Russian military-linked organizations, such as Rosconcert and a Russian company known as the Russian Army Song- and Dance Ensemble.
The group has previously performed at venues affiliated with Russia’s Western Military District in St. Petersburg, including the Dom Ofitserov, a propaganda hub. This venue is known to host meetings of Russian special forces such as the GRU Spetsnaz and similar groups.
“It’s clear that we need to draw certain conclusions from this situation,” said Jenny Svensson, spokesperson for the Gothenburg concert hall.
Swedish concert halls have demonstrated how cultural institutions worldwide should boycott Russian culture associated with Putin’s regime. Culture cannot remain apolitical, especially in the context of war and aggression.
The refusal to provide stages for Russia should become a shared stance among European countries in countering Russian propaganda and cultural influence.
