Larisa Dolina's unlicensed music academy faces fraud allegations amid state funding
Larisa Dolina's Musical Academy in Russia has come under scrutiny for operating without a proper licence. Despite receiving millions in state funding, the institution faces allegations of misleading practices and questionable certification. Meanwhile, the singer herself may lose property in Latvia due to new local regulations.
Since 2020, Russia's Presidential Cultural Initiative has allocated over 5 billion rubles to musical education projects. Among the beneficiaries was Larisa Dolina, whose Kinder der Russischen Lieder programme received around 150 million rubles since 2022. The funds supported concerts for disadvantaged children in Moscow and St. Petersburg, alongside other cultural efforts.
In 2021, Dolina's academy secured a 29.3 million ruble grant from the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives (PFCI). These grants were awarded under the Muscult project, registered under her company, MUZKULT. Yet, despite this financial backing, the academy continues to operate without an official educational licence.
The lack of licensing exempts the institution from standard obligations. These include equipping classrooms, obtaining official approvals, and paying taxes. Students have also reported issues with the academy's website, which allegedly misrepresents instructor interaction. Additionally, formal contracts for course purchases appear to be missing, raising concerns about transparency.
Further questions surround the academy's certification process. Reports suggest students can obtain certificates without fully completing courses. Some documents have even contained errors, casting doubt on their validity.
The academy's operations remain under examination as it continues to receive state funding without proper accreditation. Separately, Dolina faces potential property losses in Latvia due to recent legal changes. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about accountability in publicly funded educational projects.
