Overview
- The Royal Palace of Caserta’s directorate formally called off the July 27 performance by Valery Gergiev without giving a reason, overruling regional organizers.
- Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli praised the decision as “common sense” aimed at defending democratic values against potential propaganda.
- More than 16,000 petitioners, among them Nobel laureates and international activists led by Yulia Navalnaya, had urged authorities to block the conductor’s appearance.
- Campania Governor Vincenzo De Luca had staunchly defended Gergiev’s right to perform, arguing that artists should not be penalized for their governments’ policies.
- Russia’s ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, denounced the cancellation as politicized censorship and accused Italy of bowing to external lobbying.