Ballet as a tool of propaganda: putin loyalists prepare a performance in Florence
On January 20–21, performances by russian ballerina svetlana zakharova and violinist vadim repin are scheduled in Florence as part of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival. The event is presented as “art beyond politics,” but in reality it is part of the kremlin’s strategy to normalize the war against Ukraine through culture.
▫️ svetlana zakharova is not just an artist. She is a former state duma deputy from the pro-government united russia party, a signatory of the letter supporting the occupation of Crimea, a member of the council for culture and arts under the president of the russian federation, a trusted representative of putin in the 2024 elections, and currently a federal official. zakharova is under Ukrainian sanctions for supporting russia’s aggression.
▫️ vadim repin, zakharova’s husband, has not publicly distanced himself from the regime since 2022 and continues to operate within russian state structures. All projects of the couple are funded by the presidential fund for cultural initiatives of the russian federation.
The kremlin provides extensive opportunities to artists loyal to the regime and uses the stage as a tool of information warfare. When European countries refuse to host such events, russians claim it is censorship. In reality, it is a way to protect citizens from kremlin propaganda.
