Rome, Navalny Widow Rejects Italy Invite for Pro‑Kremlin Maestro

Italian minister raises concerns over Russian conductor’s concert near Naples

Alessandro Giuli, Italy’s culture minister, publicly warned that a July 27 music event hosted by famed Russian maestro Valery Gergiev could serve as a propaganda tool for Moscow.

Background

• Gergiev has led the world‑renowned Bolshoi Theatre since December 2023 and remains a close friend of President Vladimir Putin.
• Because he has not denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western governments have largely shunned him.
• Russia’s Anti‑Corruption Foundation, led by former opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has demanded the concert be cancelled.

Navalny’s widow speaks out

Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s surviving widow, issued an editorial in Italy’s La Repubblica condemning the performance, stating:

“Any attempt to pretend this is merely a cultural event with no political dimension is pure hypocrisy. Gergiev is a cultural ambassador for Putin’s regime.”

Giuli’s statement

Giuli released a statement warning that the concert “risks sending the wrong message” and could “transform a high‑level musical event into a platform for Russian propaganda.”

Regional reaction

• Campania regional leader Vincenzo De Luca defended the concert, claiming culture keeps dialogue open.
• De Luca also highlighted an Israeli conductor on the program, insisting that cultural figures should not be held accountable for political choices of their respective governments.

Other cultural commentators respond

Peter Gelb, general manager of New York’s Metropolitan Opera, called Gergiev “no less than an artistic stand‑in for Putin,” adding that “there can be no cultural exchange with mass murderers and kidnappers of children.”

Gergiev’s past performances

• He conducted a concert in the ruins of Syria’s Palmyra following Moscow’s intervention supporting Bashar al‑Assad.
• He also performed a triumphant concert in Georgia’s Tskhinvali region, a few metres from a detention centre holding Georgian civilians.

Conclusion

Italy’s culture minister’s warning reflects growing international pressure to cancel Gergiev’s Naples concert, highlighting the intersection of music, politics, and human rights.