Prague authorities canceled the concert scheduled for October 16 by the famous Russian soprano Anna Netrebko in the City Hall of the Czech capital.

Anna Netrebko had publicly expressed her support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, causing backlash and leading to the cancellation of her scheduled appearances around the world.

The Czech Republic, a member of the EU and NATO, has strongly supported Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, providing Kiev with significant military and humanitarian aid.

The organizers (Nachtigall Artists Management) announced via Facebook the cancellation of the concert, whose tickets were sold out, after the strong reaction of the city council of Prague. The relevant announcement refers to “circumstances that turned an artistic event into an object of political and social controversy”.

Municipal councilor Yiri Pospisil expressed his satisfaction with the “correct decision”, underlining that Ukraine is still “fighting for its independence”.

In March 2022 Metropolitan Opera of New York dissolved its partnership with Anna Netrebko because the Russian soprano refused to renounce her support for Putin after the invasion of Ukraine.

Later the 51-year-old loudspeaker announced her return to performances across Europe, after condemning the war but without to criticize the Kremlin strongman directly.

Netrebko has scheduled dozens of concerts until the end of the year, including in Berlin, Paris, Vienna and Milan.