In new York a few dozen people came out to protest against evening of classical music of the orchestra of the Mariinsky theatre in Carnegie hall. Activists have called for a boycott of the concert, the members of which supported the annexation of Crimea.
14 and 15 November about twenty demonstrators gathered near the famous concert hall with posters «Putin’s Supporters», «Gergiev supports war in Ukraine», etc. Many of them were wrapped in the flags of Ukraine and handed out leaflets which explained the purpose of the protest.
The activists, most of whom are immigrants from Ukraine and Russia, expressed their firm position against Russian figures, the conductor Valery Gergiev and pianist Denis Matsuev, who signed a petition in support of the annexation of Crimea to Russia. Protestants urged concert-goers and passers-by to join them, not to make these musicians.
In turn, in a recent interview with «Voice of America» Gergiev denied that he had signed a joint letter to Vladimir Putin, supported by 500 cultural figures of Russia.
One of the protesters , Yulia Gorodetskaya announced on his page in Facebook that the sponsors of the concert are Sberbank and VTB Bank, which in 2014 are under U.S. sanctions. Julia told USA.ONE that many Americans, including the visitors of the concert, became interested in protest and joined the protesters. Most of them admitted that they had previously heard nothing about the position of Gergiev and Matsuev in relation to Ukraine.
The concert was organized by Susan Carmel has told about the purpose of the orchestra of the Mariinsky theatre as part of the tour: «This is not a political event, a cultural event that showcases the cooperation and unity».
The second day of pickets against the Gergiev performance at Carnegie hall.Today, the concert started an hour early. When I came…
Posted by Julia Gorodetskaya on Wednesday, November 15, 2017
