BERLIN: Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany did not take part in a concert in solidarity with Ukraine organised by his host government on Sunday because no Ukrainian soloists were billed to play. “Only Russian soloists, no Ukrainians,” Andriy Melnyk tweeted, along with what appeared to be a screenshot of the invitation. “An affront. Sorry, I’m staying away.”
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier opened the Berliner Philharmonker concert via video link, having caught the coronavirus.
According to Steinmeier’s office, musicians from Ukraine, Russia,Belarus and Germany, among others, were to perform pieces by Ukrainian, Russian and Polish composers.
The line-up included Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin and the Russian baritone Rodion Pogossov. According to the orchestra, chief conductor Kirill Petrenko had to cancel at short notice due to illness.
Steinmeier said the participation of artists from different countries was “an affirmation of freedom and peace.”
“Your stance against this criminal war is a question of humanity, not of nationality,” he said, according to an official transcript of his opening address. “We must not permit (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s hatred to become a hatred dividing peoples and individuals and it must not be allowed to divide our society either.”
Steinmeier’s spokesperson Cerstin Gammelin said she regretted Melnyk’s decision because the concert had offered the chance to send a joint message of support for Ukraine. “It’s a shame that we can’t send this signal together,” she tweeted.
Gammelin pointed out that at the centre of the programme was the important Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, who at the age of 84 had just fled his homeland.
In response to Gammelin’s statement, Melnyk tweeted, “My dear God,why is it so hard for the federal president to realise that as long as Russian bombs are falling on cities and thousands of civilians are being murdered day and night, we Ukrainians don’t have any stomach for ‘great Russian culture.’ Basta.” – dpa