The Athens State Orchestra canceled the concert of pianist Denis Matsuev following public outcry. Credit: StrangeTraveler , CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia
The Athens State Orchestra has canceled a planned concert by Russian pianist Denis Matsuev, a decision that followed widespread criticism on social media. Matsuev, a public supporter of Vladimir Putin and Russia’s annexation of Crimea, has been honored directly by the Russian president, making his performance in Greece highly controversial.
He was one of the Russian artists who signed an “open letter” supporting “the position of President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine and Crimea” in 2014.
Social media opposition to the concert of the Russian pianist
The planned performance triggered a swift and organized backlash from the Ukrainian diaspora in Greece and local activists. The orchestra’s social media pages were deluged with comments condemning the choice of artist, quickly raising the profile of the issue. The threat of an in-person protest solidified the opposition.
Facing a mounting public relations crisis, the orchestra canceled the event and issued a statement. It said: “Throughout its many years of activity, the Orchestra has served artistic excellence as well as the values of open dialogue and respect that define the European cultural community. Within this framework, it has chosen to adjust its programming in response to the very recent international situation.’
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Matsuev has been barred from performing in many Western countries due to his pro-Kremlin stance.
This cancellation reflects a broader European trend of cultural institutions distancing themselves from Russian artists who support the war, as activists argue they serve as instruments of Russian “soft power.”