Page Text: for Vladimir Vladimirovich. They’re
severe
for innocent Russian college students who have nothing to do with this terrible war, simply because they are Russian nationals. This is a despicable proposal for collective punishment as well as a wildly counterproductive effort to further isolate Russian people from cultural contact and exchange with the West. Swalwell ought to be ashamed of himself, and censured by his colleagues.
Here is a cowardly decision by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra to cave in to demands that they shut down performances by a 20 year old piano prodigy who vocally opposes the war on Ukraine for no reason other than the fact that he ought to be punished for being a Russian national:
Shared Article from Montreal
A young Russian pianist set to perform with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra this week has been struck from the schedule after protest, though the orch…
montreal.ctvnews.ca
A young Russian pianist who was set to perform with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra this week has been struck from the schedule after protest.[ 1 ]
However, the orchestra maintained its praise for 20-year-old Alexander Malofeev, who has been outspoken against the invasion of Ukraine, where he said he has some family members.
The OSM feels that it would be inappropriate to receive Mr. Malofeev this week,
wrote a spokesperson for the orchestra, Pascale Ouimet, in a statement.
We continue, however, to believe in the importance of maintaining relationships with artists of all nationalities who embrace messages of peace and hope. We look forward to welcoming this exceptional artist when the context allows it.
[ 2 ]
. . .
The orchestra at first declined [to cancel Malofeev’s performances], saying Malofeev had spoken openly against the invasion. But it ultimately decided it was the right call
considering the serious impact on the civilian population of Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion,
Ouimet wrote.
Montreal Symphony Orchestra drops Russian piano prodigy from concerts amid backlash
CTV News, 8 March 2022.
No word yet on how many civilian lives have been saved by halting a Russian adolescent’s piano performances in Montreal. Nevertheless:
The orchestra’s statement on Tuesday said it wanted to
reaffirm its solidarity
with the Ukrainian people and is making a donation in support of them, and also urges the public to do the same.
But OSM musicians and their conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas, stressed that they still have an
excellent collaboration
with Malofeev, according to the statement.
I was very pleased to be working in Montreal for the first time with the extraordinary young pianist Alexander Malofeev,
Thomas said.
It is regrettable that political situations have made it impossible.[ 3 ] I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with him in the near future.
In two Facebook posts, Malofeev has decried the war, first writing on March 2 that
the truth is that every Russian will feel guilty for decades because of the terrible and bloody decision that none of us could influence and predict.
On Monday, however,[ 4 ] he added that he’s upset by the
hatred going in all directions, in Russia and around the world,
and that he
still believe[s] Russian culture and music specifically should not be tarnished by the ongoing tragedy, though it is impossible to stay aside now.
— Selena Ross,
CTV News, 8 March 2022.
It is of course a self-serving lie to lament how
impossible
it is to let a Russian pianist play the piano in Montreal. There would be nothing simpler; they were already planning to do it, and they are putting on the concerts anyway with the rest of the (non-Russian) performers. The OSM made a decision to discriminate against a Russian piano performer for no other reason than the fact that he is a Russian national.
Here is the International Cat Federation (FIFe) taking a stand against cats bred in Russia:
Shared Article from web.archive.org
Fédération Internationale Féline :: FIFe News
Bob Schwartz - http://www.fotografics.it @ web.archive.org
The FIFe Executive Board is shocked and horrified that the army of the Russian Federation invaded the Republic of Ukraine and started a war. Many innocent people died, many more are wounded and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are forced to flee their homes to save their lives. We can all witness the destruction and chaos caused by this unprecedented act of aggression.
On top of that our Ukrainian fellow feline fanciers are desperately trying to take care of their cats and other animals in these trying circumstances.
. . .
The Board of FIFe feels it cannot just witness these atrocities and do nothing,[ 5 ] so it decided that as of 01.03.2022:
No cat bred in Russia may be imported and registered in any FIFe pedigree book outside Russia, regardless of, which organization issued its pedigree.
No cat belonging to exhibitors living in Russia may be entered at any FIFe show outside Russia, regardless of, which organization these exhibitors hold their membership in.
These restrictions are valid until 31.05.2022 and will be reviewed as and when necessary.
— International Cat Federation / Fédération Internationale Féline, Statement regarding the situation in Ukraine
FIFe News Page, accessed 12 March 2022.
Quoted in