Statement by the YABLOKO party, 31.03.2015

YABLOKO express categoric protest in connection with the dismissal of head of the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet theatre Boris Mezdrich.

The reason for the dismissal became the scandal around Richard Wagner’s opera Tannhauser put on by theatre director Timofei Kulyabin. The play was honored by the audience and music critics.

Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky dismissed Boris Mezdrich despite the fact that Novosibirsk central district court didn’t find the components of crime in the actions of the creative team and refused to settle the Prosecutor Office’s claim.

After that deputy head of the presidential administration Magomedsalam Magomedov suggested introducing a preliminary viewing of the repertory of the state theaters before presenting it to publicity. This statement contradicts with the Constitution of the Russian Federation which prohibits censorship by Article 29. Such statements are unacceptable for high officials.

The current developments represent violation of artistic license. The state doesn’t have the right to interfere in the cultural sphere so openly.

If the Culture Minister sees himself as the one who should cater the church which hunters’ whims, then he represents a threat to the national culture and must be immediately dismissed. The resignation of Maromedov and Medinsky may become a definite signal meaning the Vladimir Putin isn’t going to doom Russia to slipping down to complete barbarism.

Sergei Mitrokhin
YABLOKO Chairperson