Organizer Attributes Decision to Safety Concerns Amid Controversy

Courtsey of Muzarts, Batyr Annadurdyev, Jack Devant

InArts Production announced on Friday the cancellation of the upcoming performances of renowned Russian ballerina Svetlana Zakharova in Seoul.

The decision, according to the organizer, was made due to concerns about the safety of both artists and audiences, as well as at the request of the Seoul Arts Center. The performances were originally scheduled to take place at the Seoul Arts Center on April 17 and in the ballet "Modanse" on April 19-21.

Controversy surrounding Zakharova's appearances emerged following strong opposition from the Ukrainian Embassy in South Korea on March 5. The embassy condemned Zakharova's performances, labeling them as "unacceptable" amidst escalating hostilities and suffering in Ukraine. 

▲ "Modanse" / Courtsey of Muzarts, Batyr Annadurdyev, Jack DevantZakharova, a former member of the Russian Parliament under Putin’s United Russia Party, was set to perform in "Modanse," a double-bill production known for its collaboration with the French fashion house Chanel. The production, featuring Zakharova in lead roles in both episodes, "Gabrielle Chanel" and "Come un Respiro," with soloists from the Bolshoi Ballet, premiered at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre in June 2019.

The cancellation of "Modanse" has prompted questions regarding the fate of other Russian ballet performances scheduled in South Korea, including the "Bolshoi Ballet Gala Concert 2024" at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on April 16 to 18, and "Ballet Supreme" on May 16 and 19, featuring dancers from six ballet companies, including the Mariinsky Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, and the Paris Opera Ballet.

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Kelly.K, pittou8181@gmail.com