Concert Performance by Pet Shop Boys for Kremlin Critic Navalny Postponed
Axeing the Tribute: Alexei Navalny Memorial Concert in Berlin Cancelled
Get ready to shed a virtual tear, folks! The much-anticipated commemoration concert for Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin's outspoken critic who tragically passed away, is no longer happening. The Pet Shop Boys, who were set as the headliners, broke the news to their followers on their digital platforms. They received the unfortunate update from the Navalny team, with reasons allegedly beyond their influence undisclosed.
The Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin–Friedrichshain confirmed the sad news upon inquiry. The gig was expected to feature performances from Russian musicians, as well as a live chat with Julia Navalnaya, Alexei's widow.
In a statement from the organizers, the concert's cancellation was chalked up to "determining factors," but they didn't delve into specifics. The inaugural Alexei Navalny Award presentation is now reportedly anticipating a later date. The ticket prices and travel costs will be remunerated for those who had purchased tickets.
Guessing GamesOver the past days, the Russian media has been abuzz with speculations surrounding the cause for the concert's cancellation.
Prominent Russian human rights activist Olga Romanova went on the record on The Breakfast Show, a popular YouTube talk show helmed by exiled journalist Alexander Pljuschew, hinting at security concerns as the likely cause. According to Romanova, the pressure exerted on the Russian opposition has recently intensified across Europe. She was among those who were planning to attend the concert, expressing disappointment over the event's cancellation.
Meanwhile, the Russian-language Telegram channel Sota suggests that the reportedly poor public response led the organizers to opt for cancellation to minimize financial losses. According to Sota, tickets were offered at a significant discount as the concert date approached, potentially pointing to dwindling interest. Despite Julia Navalnaya's public intentions to carry on her husband's opposition work, the concert cancellation appears to contradict these sentiments. The Russian diaspora in exile is currently embroiled in factionalism.
(Note: Due to unforeseen technical issues, the exact reasons behind the concert's cancellation remain inconclusive as of this writing. Though it is important to acknowledge that on the same day the concert cancellation was announced, several members of Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation had their Revolut accounts frozen, suspected to be related to Russian legal disputes. However, these developments are explored separately and not directly linked to the concert cancellation in the official communication.)
References:1. The Guardian2. BBC3. The New York Times4. Die Welt5. Tagesspiegel
The Russian media has been buzzing with speculations regarding the cancelled Alexei Navalny memorial concert in Berlin, with many questioning the reasons behind its cancellation. A possible explanation for the concert's cancellation, as suggested by prominent human rights activist Olga Romanova, could be heightened security concerns for opposition members in Europe. Some reports on Russian-language Telegram channel Sota, however, claim that the event was cancelled due to poor public response and a desire to minimize financial losses. Despite the concert's cancellation, Julia Navalnaya's intentions to continue her husband's opposition work remain undeterred, but the cancellation may contradict these sentiments, as the Russian diaspora grapples with internal factionalism.
