SEOUL, March 6 Russian Embassy in Seoul called the demands of the Ukrainian Embassy to cancel the tour of the Russian ballet in South Korea “inadequate” and “rude”, noting that the planned concerts are exclusively a cultural event, and positively assessed the fact that in the Republic of Korea there are no “ugly” attempts to cancel Russian culture, it says department statement.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Embassy in South Korea previously released a statement condemning the upcoming premiere of the ballet Modanse, created in collaboration with the fashion brand Chanel, which is scheduled to take place at the Seoul Arts Center (SAC) from April 17 to 21 and where Russian prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova will perform . Hinting that the ballerina supports the Russian government, the Ukrainian side called the show of performances by artists from the “aggressor state” “absolutely unacceptable.” The Ukrainian Embassy called on South Korea to suspend cultural cooperation with the Russian Federation.
The Russian Embassy, in its response statement to this, condemned the “antics” of Ukrainian diplomats and recalled how in 1949, US Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, who at the end of his life suffered from paranoia about the “Soviet threat,” committed suicide by jumping out of a window screaming «Russians are coming!».
“Judging by the press release of the Ukrainian Embassy distributed among the media demanding the cancellation of cultural exchanges with Russia, such inappropriate sentiments are seizing its employees in connection with plans to hold Russian ballet concerts in Seoul. One could already get used to the rude antics of Ukrainian diplomats and their European colleagues , but this time they outdid themselves,” the Russian Embassy said.
The Embassy noted that it “warmly welcomes” cultural exchanges between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea and is ready to actively promote their development. The department positively noted the fact that in South Korea there is no “anti-Russian hysteria” whipped up in the West, as a result of which works by such great Russian composers as P. I. Tchaikovsky, S. V. Rachmaninov and S. S. are excluded from theater repertoires. Prokofiev.
“Cultural and humanitarian cooperation is an important universal channel of communication between peoples, strengthening mutual understanding. That is why in the West, in vain attempts to isolate Russia, they do not stop trying to “cancel” Russian culture… It is gratifying that such ugly phenomena are not observed in the Republic of Korea. Korean viewers can touch to Russian opera and ballet, show great interest in them, fall in love with the world-famous works of Russian composers and writers,” the Russian Embassy said in a statement.
At the same time, as noted, tours of Russian artists are “ordinary concert activities” based on direct agreements between interested parties.
“We are confident that the intentions to impose their agenda, to politicize purely cultural events, will not find understanding among the citizens of the Republic of Korea, who are trying to be deprived of the right to get acquainted with examples of creativity of the highest world level. We believe that the announced tours of Russian artists in the Republic of Kazakhstan will become a bright event in cultural life, will allow connoisseurs of high art to fully enjoy the masterpieces of Russian culture, attempts to “cancel” which are obvious stupidity,” the embassy said.
As the Yonhap agency noted earlier, the scandal with the ballet may have a negative impact on other tours, since the head of the Bolshoi Theater Valery Gergiev is known for his support of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A number of performances by Russian ballet dancers are planned for this spring in South Korea. From April 16 to 18, Seoul will host the «Gala Concert of the Bolshoi Ballet 2024» with the leading dancers of the troupe, and from May 16 to 19, Seoul will host a touring performance of the leading dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet, including the main soloist Kim Ki-min, as well as dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet, the Bolshoi theater, Paris Opera Ballet, Berlin Staatsballett and others.