Concert canceled in Russia after singer mocked Putin with song
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Concert canceled in Russia after singer mocked Putin with song, 23 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a4126.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 23, 2015
By RFE/RL's Russian Service
A concert by a Russian singer has been canceled after he performed a song he wrote that is critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mikhail Novitsky's concert was scheduled for January 23 at the privately run Arts Center in St.Petersburg.
But the administration of the venue told Novitsky on January 22 that his concert was canceled due to unspecified reasons beyond their control.
Novitsky told RFE/RL he thinks the cancellation was because of Putin, Hello!, a song he peformed at a recent opposition gathering in St. Petersburg.
The song mocks Putin, citing events like the 2004 Beslan school massacre and the 2000 Kursk nuclear submarine tragedy.
It also pokes fun at Putin for lifting the shirt of a 5-year-old boy at the Kremlin in 2006 and kissing his belly, and for promotional photographs of Putin with animals.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website