Chinese opera singer draws criticism for singing “Katyusha” at demolished Mariupol theater/Alexei Alexandrov/AP
2023.09.09 Sat posted at 11:30 JST
(CNN) A diplomatic standoff is brewing over the performance of a Chinese opera singer. It all started when a video of the singer singing the Soviet-era song “Katyusha” at a theater in Mariupol, southern Ukraine, was released. Hundreds of people were killed in the theater last year during a Russian bombing raid on the city.
Opera singer Wang Huang joined a group of Chinese bloggers on a trip to Russian-occupied Mariupol.
“Katyusha” is a Soviet-era folk song that became popular during World War II. The song calls on citizens to protect the country by serving in the military.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry accused the group of violating its borders. “Their arrival is illegal and in flagrant violation of Ukrainian laws governing the entry of foreigners,” a ministry spokesperson said in a Facebook statement on Wednesday.
He also pointed out that Russian troops killed more than 600 innocent people in the theater in Mariupol, and said that for a Chinese singer to sing “Katyusha” in such a place is an example of complete moral deterioration. Ta.
“Ukraine respects China’s territorial integrity. We hope that the Chinese side will explain the purpose of its citizens’ stay in Mariupol, as well as how they entered the temporarily occupied Ukrainian city. It’s the same.” (The same spokesperson)
Mariupol Mayor Boichenko also criticized the Chinese group’s visit.
There has been no comment from the Chinese side or Mr. Wang regarding this matter.
In a statement posted on the Chinese social networking site Weibo, Wang’s husband praised his wife’s “strength, bravery and determination.” “Former Ukrainian residents, Russian soldiers and civilians have settled in the area and are desperately resisting various attacks.The attacks were carried out by NATO mercenaries and the Ukrainian military. “That’s why the local Russian-Ukrainian residents listened to this song and expressed that they were deeply moved by it. Their attitude showed that they will continue to fight for peace and the right to exist.” is.
The theater in question in Mariupol was bombed on March 16, 2022. Hundreds of people were evacuated inside the theater at the time.
The Mariupol City Council shared images of the collapsed theater and said it was deliberately destroyed by Russian forces.
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2023-09-09 02:30:00
