The renowned Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris has found itself at the center of a scandal after announcing a series of performances by Russian artists, scheduled from March to June 2026.
This was reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in France.
The programme includes performers such as Anna Netrebko, Alexandra Dovgan, Nikolai Lugansky, and Dmitry Maslov. The Embassy of Ukraine in France strongly protested this cultural season, describing it as an attempt to promote the ideas of the “Russian world” and whitewash Russian aggression on the international stage. Diplomats emphasized that measures are already being taken to prevent the popularization of these artists’ work.
Most of the invited stars have openly supported the current Kremlin regime. Many have performed for occupying forces and personally received state awards from Vladimir Putin for contributing to the promotion of imperial and colonial propaganda. According to the Ukrainian side, allowing such figures onto a prestigious Parisian stage is an attempt to mislead the French public. Diplomats stressed that culture in the hands of the Kremlin has become as much a weapon as rockets or tanks, forming an integral part of the information war aimed at justifying killings and imperial ambitions.
The embassy statement also notes that attempts to portray Russian culture as neutral appear extremely cynical in light of the daily attacks on Ukraine, which leave civilians without heat and electricity in freezing conditions. The showing of Russian artists’ performances in the heart of Paris was called a direct provocation, especially considering that Ukrainian cultural seasons are currently taking place in France under the slogan “Culture Strikes Back.” Through this initiative, Ukrainian artists convey the truth about the war and resistance.
