Italy’s Deputy PM Condemns Rome Gala For Barring Russian Prima Ballerina

ROME — The world of elite classical dance is reeling after the Venice Biennale abruptly axed Bolshoi Theatre legend Svetlana Zakharova from the prestigious Les Étoiles gala. The decision, triggered by “institutional communications” just days before the show, has reignited a fierce debate over whether art should remain a neutral sanctuary or serve as a tool of geopolitical sanction.

While the organizers officially cited concerns that the event could be “misinterpreted or exploited,” the move has drawn a sharp rebuke from Italy’s top leadership, labeling the exclusion as a dangerous complication to international diplomacy.

Salvini Slams “Russophobia” in the Arts

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini wasted no time in condemning the move. Speaking on RTL radio, the League party leader argued that targeting artists does nothing to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

“Art, culture, music, and sport have the mission of bringing peoples and cultures together, not exacerbating ongoing conflicts,” Salvini stated. “By expelling Russian ballerinas or painters, we don’t resolve the conflict. We simply complicate it.”

Salvini’s stance highlights a growing rift within the European Union regarding the “total boycott” of Russian cultural figures who are not personally subject to EU sanctions.

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The “Institutional” Pressure Cooker

The timeline of the cancellation suggests a coordinated effort behind the scenes.

The Invitation: Venice Biennale initially defended the invite, noting that Zakharova is not on the EU sanctions list.
The Backlash: Culture and foreign ministers from several European nations, including Ukraine, issued a joint statement opposing her participation.
The Decision: Organizers pivoted, citing “symbolic responsibility” and the need to avoid political exploitation of the gala.

This isn’t Zakharova’s first brush with the “cancel” movement in Italy. Earlier this year, the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino suspended a performance featuring her and her husband, violinist Vadim Repin, citing “international tensions.”

Moscow’s Sharp Response

Russia’s ambassador to Italy, Aleksey Paramonov, dismissed the move as “pandering” to the Ukrainian government. In a biting interview with La Repubblica, he suggested that the Western cultural sphere is shrinking its own horizons.

“Italy isn’t the only place in the world,” Paramonov remarked, adding that Russian masters remain welcome in “sovereign and free” nations that refuse to follow the “dictates” of Brussels or Kyiv.

The Growing Pattern of Cultural Purging

The Zakharova incident is part of a broader trend that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described as “uncharacteristic for the Italian spirit.” From the cancellation of conductor Valery Gergiev to the scrubbing of Russian literature from curricula, the question remains: Can the West separate the dancer from the State?

As the Les Étoiles gala prepares to open its doors without its brightest star, the empty spot on the stage serves as a stark reminder that in 2026, the theater is no longer a world apart from the battlefield.

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