In response to reports that Sweden has cancelled performances of two iconic Russian ballets, The Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the decision, describing it as a continuation of the country’s growing trend to boycott anything associated with Russia.
Zakharova’s remarks come after it was revealed that a Swedish commercial company had organized the ballet performances, which were to feature an international cast. Despite the fact that the performances were organized by a private entity, Swedish authorities opted to cancel the events, allegedly due to the company’s ties to Russia.
In a statement, Zakharova criticized Swedish authorities for their “Russo-phobic” policies, which she argued have been encouraged by the Swedish Foreign Ministry since October 2022. She pointed to a directive from that time that instructed Swedish institutions to sever cultural ties with Russian and Belarusian state agencies. According to Zakharova, the cancellation of the ballet performances was another manifestation of this attitude, which seeks to ban all things Russian.
“It is hard to assess the decisions and actions of Swedish authorities in the context of universal human logic and common sense,” Zakharova remarked. “Instead of cancelling the great Russian art—an inalienable part of the global cultural heritage—Swedish officials are depriving their citizens of the opportunity to experience Russian masterpieces of ballet.”
She further emphasized that by removing these performances from Sweden’s cultural calendar, the authorities were not only preventing Swedish audiences from enjoying world-renowned Russian ballet, but also undermining the country’s status as a hub for significant cultural events.
Zakharova’s comments highlight the growing cultural and political divide between Russia and several Western countries, where anti-Russian sentiment has led to the cancellation of various cultural exchanges. She pointed out the irony that Swedish commercial institutions, which typically operate independently of government influence, had also fallen in line with the broader trend of cultural exclusion.
“The great works of Russian art belong to all of humanity, and their place in the world is irreplaceable,” Zakharova concluded. “By rejecting these performances, Sweden is only isolating itself from one of the most important artistic legacies the world has ever known.”
The cancellations of The Swan Lake and The Nutcracker are part of a broader pattern of cultural boycotts that have affected numerous Russian artists, musicians, and performers in recent years. These decisions continue to raise questions about the intersection of politics and culture in a globalized world.