Thanks to the efforts of the Embassy of Ukraine in Romania and activists, the concert of Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko in Cluj-Napoca was canceled, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported.
The performance was scheduled for October 6 with the Transylvanian Philharmonic Orchestra, along with the conferral of an honorary doctorate from the Gheorghe Dima National Music Academy.
The MFA emphasized that by canceling the event, the Romanian side showed understanding and solidarity with Ukraine in countering Russia’s hybrid influence through so-called cultural initiatives.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions against Netrebko for her public support of Russian policies. The embassy engaged with the rector of the National Music Academy, Romanian authorities, and civil society representatives to prevent the event.
“As long as Russia continues its aggressive and bloody war, and its military commits war crimes daily, international isolation must persist. Culture cannot be used as a tool to whitewash the aggressor’s reputation,” the ministry stressed.
