The Ukrainian community in Barcelona, Spain, together with Campaign For Ukraine, held a series of protests outside the Teatro del Liceo against the inclusion of ballerinas from leading Russian theaters in the repertoire.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Center in Barcelona on Facebook.
Activists reminded the city that, due to Russian aggression, Ukrainian artists such as ballet dancer Oleksandr Shapoval and opera singer Vasyl Slipak will never return to the stage. In response to the official Ukrainian call to cancel the Russian performance, the Liceu Theatre stated: “Russian culture is outside politics.”
The Ukrainian community, however, insists that “culture outside politics” does not exist during Russia’s colonial war against Ukraine.
“Russian culture has become a tool of information warfare, legitimizing violence and imperial policies. Choosing indifference becomes a stance in favor of the aggressor,” the activists said.
The appeal from Ukrainians was ignored by the Barcelona City Council, the Parliamentary Council, and the Generalitat of Catalonia.
During the peaceful demonstration on November 9, two participants were attacked by Russians: one near the theatre and another inside the concert hall after unfurling a Ukrainian flag. Organizers emphasized that the protesters responded with dignity, not aggression.
