Putin blasts the West for trying to "cancel" Russian culture

One need not be well versed in Dostoevsky or have attended the ballet at Moscow’s famed Bolshoi Theatre to understand that Russian culture has been a powerful force throughout the world – inspiring artists, writers and dreamers for centuries.

But as the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine continues to escalate, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of attempting to cancel Russian culture – including the works of famed composers Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Rachmaninov, Reuters reported.

In a televised addressed with leading cultural figures, Putin compared the alleged cancellation of a number of Russian cultural events (think: cats, cars and concerts) since the launch of his “special military operation” to the actions of Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

"Today they are trying to cancel a whole thousand-year culture, our people," Putin warned.

“I am talking about the gradual discrimination against everything linked to Russia… a tendency unfolding in a number of Western countries,” he added.

Since Moscow first launched its invasion of Ukraine just over one month ago on Feb. 24, countless cultural organizations have joined Western governments in sanctioning Russia for waging a bloody and illegal war against its southern neighbor – often moving to ban Russian culture figures from participating in global events, performances and competitions.

In recent weeks, this has meant the dismissal of pro-Putin Valery Gergiev as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic, the dropping of a Tchaikovsky piece by Cardiff’s Philharmonic and a cancellation of a Russian ballet tour by Spain’s Teatro Real. Similarly, top global auction houses Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams have stopped selling Russian art in London.

Ultimately, however, the list of cancellations is deep and spans from sports to animal shows.

Although many organizations have reported "hate speech and vicious comments" after cutting ties with Russia, the Cardiff Philharmonic said it felt justified in its actions.

"Basic humanity takes precedence over art and history," the Orchestra said in a Facebook post. "When the humanitarian crisis is over the discussion about 'woke' and 'cancel culture' can have its place."