SEOUL, South Korea – A scheduled performance by principal dancers from Russia's Bolshoi Theatre was abruptly cancelled on Monday, the day preceding its intended opening in Seoul. The organizing body attributed the cancellation to unresolved disagreements regarding program modifications, arising amidst heightened political tensions between South Korea and Russia.
This last-minute development follows the March withdrawal of a ballet production featuring Svetlana Zakharova, a prominent Ukrainian-born ballerina and vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian embassy in South Korea expressed regret over the cancellation, hinting at a potential politicization of cultural exchange. "The Embassy of the Russian Federation has noted with concern a recent trend in the Republic of Korea's approach to cultural cooperation with Russia," the embassy stated on its social media platform.
The cancellation coincides with South Korea's adherence to international sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. South Korea has implemented economic sanctions, frozen transactions with designated Russian institutions, and restricted exports of strategic materials. Additionally, tensions persist between the two nations regarding South Korea's sanctions targeting entities suspected of aiding North Korea's nuclear program.
Originally intended to showcase twelve principal Bolshoi dancers at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, organizers attempted to modify the program by reducing the number of Russian performers. However, these proposed alterations were ultimately not approved by the concert hall, leading to the show's cancellation.
