It is not alleged to be a live performance, however a musical peace rally. On Sunday in Berlin, a few of Germany’s most profitable pop stars will get collectively for peace beneath the motto “Sound of Peace” in entrance of town’s landmark, the Brandenburg Gate.
The bands embrace Silbermond, pop-rock band Revolverheld, The BossHoss and Fortuna Ehrenfeld, whereas Peter Maffay, Sarah Connor, Adel Tawil, Zoe Wees and Joris are among the many solo acts. The latter known as on his followers through Instagram to point out up in massive numbers on the rally: “All of us stand collectively, that is what we are able to do. Towards the conflict and for peace.”
With their efficiency, the musicians wish to ship a loud sign in opposition to the conflict in Ukraine. The message is obvious: “Cease the conflict!”
Natalia Klitschko at a protest in Hamburg in March
Ukrainian singer Natalia Klitschko, the spouse of Kyiv mayor and ex-professional boxer Vitali Klitschko, is scheduled to talk on the rally, in keeping with organizers. She and the couple’s youngsters dwell in Hamburg, whereas her husband is preventing on the entrance traces in Ukraine together with his brother, Wladimir Klitschko. She has spoken at peace demonstrations a number of instances because the conflict started, and most lately sang at a solidarity live performance on the Hamburg State Opera.
Celebrities from the German pop scene
The “Sound of Peace” initiative, which describes itself as an alliance of solidarity for the tradition sector, organized the rally, and rapidly gathered the assist of well-known pop stars.
A number of dozen German celebrities from the tradition sector are supporting the alliance off-stage, too, together with German musician Henning Might, crime novelist Sebastian Fitzek, Ukrainian singer Svyatoslav Vakarchuk and the Syrian Expat Philharmonic Orchestra, a symphony orchestra of Syrian musicians in exile.
Music, the alliance writes on its web site, is able to unite individuals everywhere in the world and to construct bridges like no different medium can.
Name for donations
“Sound of Peace” needs to “set a robust and unmistakable image for peace, human rights and democracy” with the demo, whereas additionally stating that racism “should not get a spot in any kind, neither on the borders nor anyplace else.”
The marketing campaign additionally goals to boost funds for humanitarian aid efforts to assist victims of the conflict in Ukraine, to be distributed to numerous charitable organizations.
For all non-Berliners, the occasion shall be broadcast by German TV stations ProSieben and Sat.1, and through dwell stream. Folks may donate on-line on the web site of “Sound of Peace.”
‘Get up for peace’
The German authorities additionally backed the peace rally in Berlin.
Claudia Roth, Germany’s Minister of State for Tradition, stated in a letter to the organizers made accessible to the German press company, dpa, that she wholeheartedly helps “Tradition for peace — and in opposition to the aggression of Putin’s regime, solidarity with Ukraine, but additionally with the many individuals in Russia, particularly from the humanities, tradition and media, who’ve the braveness to talk out in opposition to the conflict and get up for peace.”
“Music can all the time be a voice to formulate protest, but additionally to create cohesion and fill hearts,” Revolverheld’s Johannes Strate instructed dpa, including that is why it is essential for music to be a part of such a motion. Life hasn’t been the identical for a number of weeks, he added — very first thing within the morning, individuals flip to the information, frightened, to find out about no matter horrible issues have occurred through the night time.
“That is why we did not hesitate for a second when the ‘Sound of Peace’ concept got here up. I hope that on Sunday we’ll set a wonderful sign for peace and love.”
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Disney to droop all enterprise in Russia
Initially, Disney introduced it might now not launch movies in Russian cinemas. Now the company is halting all its actions, from its TV channels, together with TV content material advertising, to licensing and cruises. In an announcement, Disney stated it’s taking the steps in gentle of “the relentless assault on Ukraine and the escalating humanitarian disaster.”
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Cannes bans Russian delegates
The Cannes Movie Competition introduced on March 1 that it might “not welcome official Russian delegations” or individuals linked to the nation’s authorities. Various movie festivals are reacting equally, together with Glasgow and Stockholm. Locarno has introduced it might not be a part of a boycott, whereas Venice will provide free screenings of a movie in regards to the 2014 battle within the Donbas area.
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Russia barred from Eurovision Tune Contest
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the track contest, said on February 25 that “in gentle of the unprecedented disaster in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry on this yr’s Contest would carry the competitors into disrepute.” In the meantime, Ukraine’s folks rap Kalush Orchestra (picture) have emerged because the act with the very best odds to win.
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Opera homes halt Bolshoi collaborations
London’s Royal Opera Home has canceled the summer time season of Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet. The Metropolitan Opera’s staging of “Lohengrin,” co-produced with the Bolshoi, may also be affected by the New York opera home’s determination to chop ties with Russian state-supported artists. Till now a Putin loyalist, Bolshoi director Vladimir Urin was nonetheless among the many signatories of a letter against the conflict.
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Valery Gergiev live shows canceled
Many Russian artists have condemned the conflict. However regardless of an ultimatum from the Munich Philharmonic to publicly place himself, star conductor Valery Gergiev remained silent on the conflict led by Putin, his good friend since 1992. On March 1, the German orchestra fired its acclaimed chief conductor, and the globe-trotting maestro’s quite a few live shows in Europe and the US have additionally been canceled.
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Soprano Anna Netrebko pulled out of operas
The Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Berlin State Opera have ended their collaboration with Russian opera star Anna Netrebko, who was requested to “repudiate her public assist for Vladimir Putin,” however declined to take action. She is “one of many biggest singers in Met historical past,” stated the opera home’s director Peter Gelb, “however with Putin killing harmless victims in Ukraine, there was no means ahead.”
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Museums lower ties with Russian oligarchs
Amid requires cultural establishments to take away allies of Putin from their boards, museums are reducing ties with main Russian benefactors. Billionaire Vladimir Potanin has stepped down from the board of trustees of the Guggenheim Museum (picture), in keeping with The New York Occasions, whereas Artnet experiences that banking magnate Petr Aven has left his place as a trustee of the Royal Academy in London.
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Hermitage Amsterdam break ties with Saint Petersburg
Amsterdam homes the most important satellite tv for pc of Saint Petersburg’s storied Hermitage Museum. It had till now by no means commented on Putin’s political actions, however “with the invasion of the Russian military in Ukraine, a border has been crossed. Conflict destroys every little thing. Even 30 years of collaboration,” the Dutch museum said on March 3. They’re additionally closing their present exhibition, “Russian Avant-Garde.”
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Russian artists pull out of Venice Biennale
It isn’t all the time the organizers of occasions who’re boycotting Russian acts. On the Venice Biennale, which begins on April 23, it’s relatively the artists and curator of the Russian exhibition who’ve resigned, stating on Instagram that “the Russian Pavilion will stay closed” in protest of civilians being killed by missiles and Russian protesters being silenced.
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Hollywood delays movies releases in Russia
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Cultural backlash in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Live shows canceled in Russia
“Ukraine, we stand with you, and with all these in Russia who oppose this brutal act,” stated Nick Cave. He has canceled his Russian tour dates deliberate for the summer time, similar to many different teams, together with Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, Iggy Pop and Inexperienced Day. In style Russian rapper Oxxxymiron has additionally canceled his reveals within the nation, calling for an anti-war motion.
Writer: Elizabeth Grenier
This text was initially written in German.