icon

Ukrainians in Italy balk at pianist Putin backer Lugansky’s concert

#DiasporaNews
January 28,2025 778
Ukrainians in Italy balk at pianist Putin backer Lugansky’s concert

The Ukrainian community in Milan staged a protest outside the historic La Scala opera house on Jan. 26 to voice their opposition to a concert performance by Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky, who has a track record of openly supporting Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin’s regime. 

The Ukrainian community in Italy, in partnership with the Ponte Atlantico organization, staged the protest, according to Oles Horodetskyy, leader of the Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy.

Lugansky was scheduled to perform at the La Scala theater and the co–organizers described the protest as the most powerful outpouring of action they’ve ever held in front of La Scala. 

“Seeing the confused faces of the Russians was priceless,” they said.

The protesters made it clear that their opposition wasn’t directed at music or art in general, but at the Russian propaganda that Lugansky spews. 

“Lugansky participates in concerts for Russian troops and performances that back Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” the organizers said.

During the protest, activists displayed a banner featuring the names and faces of Ukrainian musicians and dancers who have been killed by Russian forces during the ongoing war. 

The activists emphasized that Ukraine’s fight for freedom is part of the global struggle for freedom and called for international support for Ukraine and its heroes.

Lugansky, a Russian pianist and soloist with the Moscow Philharmonic, also holds the honorary title of People’s Artist of Russia. He has performed in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, including in the Donetsk Philharmonic since 2016.

Earlier in January, Ukrainians in Italy protested against the performances of Russian artists in Rome.

Photos: Lorenzo Ceva Valla

Donate Subscribe to our news