Americans hold protests against Russian artist who supports the annexation of the Crimea
In Boston, on Saturday, October 29th, a protest was held near the concert hall where Russian pianist Denis Matsuev performed. Earlier this week, a similar protest action took place in New York, as reported by Radio Svoboda.
In New York, a group of activists called “Signerbusters” picketed Carnegie Hall. In Boston, the protest was themed “Putin & Matsuev House of Horrors” in Halloween style and was organized by “Arts Against Aggression” in front of the Jordan Hall of the New England Conservatory.
Organizers said that they wanted to raise questions before American concert organizations about the ethics of further cooperation with Russian artists “who support and whitewash Putin’s aggressive and repressive regime.” According to the protesters, some of spectators that came to the concert decided not to see it after all.
In January 2017, activists plan to meet Russian conductor Vladimir Spivakov with protests as well.
In March 2014, after the Russian annexation of the Crimea, over 80 Russian artists signed a collective letter “in support of President Vladimir Putin’s position regarding Ukraine and the Crimea.” The letter was signed by Matsuev and Spivakov, among others.