During the full-scale war, performing Russian music is akin to displaying the Russian flag from one’s balcony, as it signifies endorsement of the aggressor nation’s culture. The return of Russian artists to European stages, meanwhile, sends a dangerous message.
This sentiment was shared in an interview with the Lithuanian portal Delfi by Yuriy Shutko, Honored Artist of Ukraine, soloist of the National Philharmonic, Candidate of Art History, and flutist.
“Music, like any other art form, reflects the internal narratives of the nation that creates it. During the full-scale invasion, when missiles, bombs, and drones are falling on our heads, playing Russian music is equivalent to hoisting the Russian flag on your balcony. And this, essentially, is treason against the Motherland, which is under fire from the Russian occupier,” Yuriy Shutko explains.
The renowned Ukrainian flutist also highlighted the challenges faced by conscripted artists in obtaining travel permits, which has led to a reduction in their performances.
“All of this poses significant risks for those hosting Ukrainian performers. Foreign tour organizers can never be certain whether you will get a permit to travel abroad, if you will arrive on time, or if you will be able to perform while exhausted from an arduous and risky journey. Consequently, the number of performances by Ukrainian artists abroad has noticeably decreased,” Shutko states.
However, according to the flutist, European organizers are increasingly inviting Russian performers.
“I want to remind everyone that a similar situation existed in Ukraine when Russians actively toured here. And what did it lead to? The bloodiest war on our territory,” he notes.
The artist emphasized that despite the war, the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine continues its work. Yuriy Shutko shared that the institution’s historic building in the center of Kyiv sustained damage twice due to Russian shelling, yet the staff always did their utmost to ensure scheduled concerts proceeded.
Read also: Ani Lorak, Baskov, Rozenbaum: YouTube blocked channels of artists supporting the war in Ukraine
The musician recounted that Ukrainian artists perform even under extremely difficult conditions. For instance, during a tour in Lutsk, a concert-recital took place in an unheated Cathedral church, where the temperature dropped to freezing point.
“The audience sat wrapped in fur coats; I feared the flute’s mechanics would freeze. But the concert went on, and no one left the hall. Everyone received an incredible surge of energy and inspiration! After all, we are at war. And we must persevere in this struggle,” said the flutist.
Yuriy Shutko expressed gratitude to Lithuania for its support of Ukraine and the high standard of organization for his tours in 2022 and 2024. He also urged Lithuanians and all European Union countries to maintain unity against the Russian threat.
As Ukrinform reported, in March, performances by Dieter Bohlen, a former member of the band Modern Talking, were canceled in Lithuania following his remarks that Russia and Germany were once a “dream team.”
Photo: Delfi