Stjepan Hauser's Kalinka performance sparks backlash and concert cancellations
Classical cellist Stjepan Hauser has faced backlash after posting a performance of the Russian folk song Kalinka online. The video, which featured a backdrop of the Russian flag and the Kremlin, sparked criticism from Ukrainian audiences. As a result, his planned concerts in the Baltic States have now been cancelled.
The controversy began when Hauser shared a recording of Kalinka as part of his Music unites the World project. The choice of imagery—Russia's flag and a prominent Kremlin scene—drew immediate criticism from Ukrainians. Many accused the musician of insensitivity, given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Organisers in the Baltic States responded by scrapping Hauser's upcoming performances. No official statement has been released by the Ukrainian government or public regarding the incident. The cancellations mark a sharp turn for the cellist, whose project originally aimed to bring people together through music.
Hauser's concerts in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will no longer go ahead. The decision follows public outrage over his Kalinka performance and its political undertones. So far, neither the artist nor his team has issued a response to the cancellations.
