In response to yesterday’s appeal by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for cultural institutions to refrain from any cooperation with representatives of culture from the Russian Federation, all Polish stakeholders reacted and removed Russian artists, Russian films and performances from the programs of cultural events.

The Ministry of Culture recommended that Russian artists who did not speak out clearly and unequivocally against the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and did not condemn it, should not be guests of Polish artistic programs.

Łukasz Maciejewski, a film expert and film critic on Facebook, announced that film festivals Kino na Granicy, Wajda na Nowo, Grand Prix Komeda, Alchemia Kina and Tofifest where he is the program director will not show films of Russian production. Until further notice, Russian films are also disappearing from the repertoire of the Millennium cinema in Tarnów that he runs, and from all film studies and lectures organized, prepared and moderated by him.

Stefan Laudyn, director of the Warsaw Film Festival, announced that the Warsaw Film Festival will not accept applications from Russia (including co-productions) until Russian troops leave Ukraine.

Mariusz Treliński, artistic director of the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera, stated that together with the ensemble and the management of the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera, he cancelled the upcoming premiere of “Boris Godunov”. “Let this silence be a voice of solidarity with the people of Ukraine”- said Treliński.

Andrzej Giza, director of the Association of Ludwig van Beethoven, the organizer of the 26th Beethoven Easter Festival reported that all Russian artists had been canceled. Moreover, all Russian works were withdrawn from the Festival program.

The 16th “Sputnik over Poland” Russian Films Festival was also canceled.

Adrian Andrzejewski