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Russian Ballerina Svetlana Zakharova Removed From Rome Gala After War in Ukraine Dispute
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Russian ballerina Svetlana Zakharova has been removed from the lineup of a dance gala. The move comes amid the latest dispute in Italy over the participation of Russian artists in cultural events amid Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
This was reported by Reuters on March 17.
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Zakharova had been expected to appear at the Les Etoiles gala in the Italian capital on March 20–21.
In a statement, the event’s organizers said the decision to exclude Zakharova followed “institutional communications … that have highlighted the symbolic responsibility of cultural institutions in the current context.”
The organizers did not specify which institutions sent the messages, but said there was concern that the event could be “misunderstood or exploited,” despite the festival’s aim to promote dialogue through art.
Svetlana Zakharova is a prima ballerina of Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre. She also served as a deputy in the Russian State Duma from 2007 to 2015 as a member of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party.
In March 2014, she signed a public letter supporting Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s policy during Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine. Since January 7, 2023, she has been under Ukrainian sanctions for what authorities described as anti-Ukrainian activities.
The decision follows broader controversy in Italy over whether Russian representatives should be allowed to take part in major cultural events.
Italy’s culture minister has demanded the resignation of the government’s representative on the board of the Venice Biennale amid a political controversy over Russia’s planned return to the exhibition in 2026, according to Artnews.
In a statement released last week, Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said he no longer had confidence in Tamara Gregoretti, who has been a member of the Biennale’s board since March 2024. He accused her of failing to notify the ministry in advance about the possibility that Russia could participate in the upcoming event.
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According to the ministry, Gregoretti “did not deem it necessary to announce the possible presence of the Russian Federation at the next Biennale,” despite the political sensitivity surrounding Russia’s involvement.
At the same time, culture and foreign ministers from 22 European countries have urged that Russia be barred from participating in the upcoming 61st Venice Biennale.
The call to prevent Moscow’s involvement in the major international art exhibition was initiated by Latvian Culture Minister Agnese Lāce. Within days, the proposal received backing from senior officials across Europe, forming a coordinated position supported by representatives of France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.
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