** The Valery Gergiev concert scheduled for July 27th at the Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta) has been officially cancelled, ending days of intense controversy and planned protests against the Russian conductor’s ties to Vladimir Putin. Palace Director Tiziana Maffei announced the decision via a terse statement: “The Management of the Reggia di Caserta has ordered the cancellation of the symphonic concert conducted by Valery Gergiev, planned as part of the ‘Un’Estate da Re’ festival on July 27th in the courtyard of the Vanvitelli Complex.”
This move directly opposes the stance of Campania Regional Governor Vincenzo De Luca, whose administration funds the festival. De Luca had repeatedly defended the performance, advocating “dialogue that fosters peace.” Conversely, Culture Minister Sangiuliano opposed it, stating, “art is free, but propaganda is another matter.” Sangiuliano swiftly expressed “full and convinced support” for the cancellation, clarifying it was solely the Palace Management’s “free and unchallengeable choice.” He justified the decision, stating cancellation “obeys a logic of common sense and moral tension aimed at protecting the values of the free world,” despite the event’s artistic merit, due to perceived “ideological exploitation.”
The cancellation drew widespread political approval from figures across parties including Magi (+Europa), Lombardo (Action), Carfagna (We Moderates), Mollicone (Brothers of Italy), and Sensi (Democratic Party). Lega’s Vannacci dissented, suggesting Gergiev should perform at the European Parliament “if he’s good,” while the Five Star Movement lamented “dark times,” calling the cancellation “depressing.”
Gergiev reportedly told TASS he knew nothing of the cancellation. The Russian Embassy in Rome condemned the move, asserting it would damage Italy’s reputation for hospitality and openness, not Russia, stating: “Those who think cancelling the concert will harm Russia are deeply mistaken.”
The decision followed two weeks of heated debate, ignited by PD MEP Pina Picierno urging De Luca to prevent “taxpayer money going to a supporter of a criminal regime.” Picierno celebrated the outcome, inviting supporters to gather outside the Palace. Governor De Luca remained the concert’s primary defender, criticizing “exclusionary logic” and “demagoguery,” contrasting the outcry with the Gaza conflict.
The debate intensified after Yulia Navalnaya, wife of late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, appealed to Italy to stop Gergiev, calling him a “promoter of Putin’s criminal policy.” While the Foreign Ministry distanced itself (stating De Luca invited Gergiev), Navalnaya’s plea spurred significant backlash, including a letter from Nobel laureates and a petition gathering over 16,000 signatures in a day.
Tensions escalated with Caserta authorities alerting police due to planned protests by Ukrainian associations and Russian dissidents both inside and outside the venue, compounded by reports that many front-row tickets were bought by Ukrainians. The cancellation is seen as defusing these risks.
Bologna Cancels Pro-Russian Pianist’s Concert**
In a related development, the August 5th concert of Ukrainian pianist Alexander Romanovsky, perceived as pro-Russian, in Bologna has also been cancelled. Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore confirmed the cancellation to Action Senator Marco Lombardo, who had raised concerns. Lombardo praised the move on social media as “right and timely,” linking it to the Caserta decision as a defence of democracy against foreign interference.
The controversy stemmed from a social media post by Bologna’s Liberal Democratic Party highlighting Romanovsky’s performance “on the ruins of the Mariupol theatre,” a symbol of Russian aggression. His ‘Favorite Chopin’ recital was part of the Cubo Live festival, promoted by the Unipol Group’s museum and included in the city’s ‘Bologna Estate 2025’ program.
Action Party leader Carlo Calenda welcomed the cancellation as “the second good news of the day” after Gergiev’s, stating it “shows Italy has antibodies against Putinism.”
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