Russia has always made art and culture political, using past achievements as a reflection of their might.
This was stated by Metropolitan Opera General Manager Peter Gelb, who spoke in an interview with Ukrinform.
He is convinced that those who suggest art and culture is beyond politics are wrong.
“Art and culture is political, and the country that has made it the most political is Russia, always,” Gelb emphasized.
He noted that art is a symbol and expression of civilization, while Russia saw it as a tool of propaganda, using its past achievements, ballerinas, and musical stars as symbols of Russian cultural might.
In contrast, Gelb believes it is important to support Ukrainian artists and explains his activity in this regard, in particular the creation of the “Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra”, by the need to let Ukrainians feel that the world supports them at a time when they may feel isolated.
“One of the reasons why I am here in Ukraine this week is to meet with the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, once again to discuss different cultural projects that can help Ukraine. So, to somebody who asks the question, art is not political, I would say they are very naive and do not understand that art is political,” the head of the Metropolitan Opera added.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, this week, world-famous artist Peter Gelb is in Ukraine for the second time since the full-scale invasion.
In 2023, the Metropolitan Opera commissioned Ukrainian composer Maksym Kolomiyets to pen an opera, “Mothers of Kherson”, about the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia.
Source: Russia has always made art political - Metropolitan Opera chief
