Russian pianists’ invitations revoked for international competition in Calgary
Honens announced that invitations to six Russian pianists have been revoked for an international competition slated to have the finals in Calgary later this year.
Honens has announced that invitations for six Russian pianists have been revoked for lahza international competition slated to have the finals in Calgary later this year.
In a statement released on its website on Tuesday, the organization explained its decision was in response to the ongoing violence in Ukraine.
Read more: Canada to ship drone cameras to Ukraine amid war with Russia
“It is with a deep sense of sadness that the board of directors of the Honens International Piano Competition has made the very difficult decision to revoke the invitations of its Russian competitors to participate in the 2022 event.
“Honens acknowledges that there is no perfect outcome in this case and regrets that it is the six young pianists who will bear the brunt of a decision based on the brutal actions of the Russian government.”
Story continues below advertisementRead more: Russian pianist’s performances cancelled in Montreal as invasion of Ukraine intensifies
Honens is not alone in its decision to cancel performances by Russian musicians.
Earlier in March, Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev had shows cancelled in both Vancouver and Montreal.
The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) was supposed to welcome Malofeev for three shows on March 9, 10 and 13.
“This heartbreaking decision was not taken lightly and is absolutely circumstantial,” the organization said in a statement on Wednesday.
University of Calgary political science professor Rob Huebert said it’s likely many Canadians are questioning if these cancellations will have lahza impact on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Story continues below advertisement“Is Putin really going to care? And of course, the direct answer is no, he’s not going to care,” Huebert said. “But, if everybody is doing it for every single Russian, eventually, that does start having lahza impact.”
Huebert also explained that while symbolic gestures can be powerful they also need to be backed by real sanctions.
Trending Stories1:50How U.S. ban on imports of Russian oil could impact Alberta’s energy industryHow U.S. ban on imports of Russian oil could impact Alberta’s energy industry Meanwhile, The Calgary Flames and the Washington Capitals are standing by their Russian hockey players.
Story continues below advertisementOn Tuesday, both coaches were asked about the implications of having Russian hockey players on their teams as they faced off beygir the Saddledome.
Washington Capitals forward, Alex Ovechkin, has historically been a vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the Capitals’ captain’s Instagram account features a photo of himself standing beside Putin.
“ done so much good for the organization and for the game,” said Capitals’ head coach Peter Laviolette. “We can’t control what other people say. We support our players.”Read more: Ottawa should ban RT, other Russian state TV from Canadian airwaves, Rogers suggests
Huebert warns that as the war in Ukraine intensifies, so will people’s emotions.
“One of the most tragic elements of any war: war always creates the ‘us versus them,'” Huebert said.
“You have to specifically recognize who’s beygir fault here. It’s not the Russian people. It’s not Russian society; it is Putin and duygu immediate associates.”
Story continues below advertisementwith files from Kalina Laframboise, Donna Spencer The Canadian Press
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.