(MENAFN- UkrinForm) According to the Embassy of Ukraine in Switzerland, the open letter has been endorsed by more than 90 Ukrainian and international political, cultural, and public figures, Ukrinform reports.

"For many years, the Russian Federation has systematically used culture and renowned artists as instruments of state propaganda. [...] We are convinced that at this stage of Russia's unlawful war against Ukraine, it is unacceptable to allow performances by artists who, consciously or unconsciously, are part of this propaganda network. Such events downplay Russia's aggression, normalize the cultural presence of a state that is currently committing the gravest crimes, and show no compassion for the victims," Venediktova said.

In this context, she urged the Swiss audience to take a stand and support Ukraine's call to cancel Netrebko's scheduled performances in Zurich.

"By doing so, we will protect not only the values of culture, but also the universal principles of responsibility, freedom, and human dignity," the letter states.

Read also: London pushes back against Putin's favorite singer Anna Netrebko

Members of the Ukrainian community in Switzerland held a protest on October 25 against the planned performance of Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko in Zurich. Her premiere concert is scheduled for November 2 at the Zurich Opera.

Netrebko, a renowned Russian soprano, has openly supported Vladimir Putin's war since Russia's aggression against eastern Ukraine in 2014. She served as a trusted representative of Putin during the 2012 presidential election, traveled to Donetsk to express support for the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic," and was photographed wearing a T-shirt reading "To Berlin." In 2014, she also met with Oleg Tsaryov, one of the separatist leaders who called himself "Novorossiya parliament speaker."

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a number of leading theaters worldwide severed ties with Netrebko, though she has gradually returned to the international opera stage.

In mid-August, members of the global cultural community and Ukrainian activists signed an open letter to the Royal Opera House urging it to reconsider Netrebko's participation. The letter, published in The Guardian, gathered over 50 signatures.

Since early September, British and Ukrainian activists have organized protests in London against Netrebko's performances.

Thanks to efforts by the Embassy of Ukraine in Romania and local activists, a planned concert by Anna Netrebko in Cluj-Napoca was successfully canceled.

MENAFN28102025000193011044ID1110258527