A month ago, he struggled with the cancellation of concerts, now he is selling out halls in Ostrava, Moravia and Prague again. The singer Jaromír Nohavica got to the disadvantages of some Czech and Polish cities after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. He refused to return Pushkin’s medal, which he took over from Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018.
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What you will hear in today’s episode 5:59
- The songwriter Jaromír Nohavica was criticized for accepting Pushkin’s medal from President Vladimir Putin four years ago, but now in the spring he could not play in some Czech and Polish cities due to the same award. According to them, he did not distance himself sufficiently from the current government in Russia.
- People who attended his concert in Ostrava’s Gong Hall on Tuesday, but none of that matters. “I perceive him as an artist, no matter what his political opinion, if he doesn’t promote it,” said Ondřej Vítoslavský.
- It is not so clear whether the moral integrity of the artist or his work as such should be more important. “It simply came to our notice then. The whole company and its representatives in the cultural operation must agree, “says Petr Fischer, a publicist and analyst at Euro weekly.
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This weekend, Jaromír Nohavica will perform in the almost sold-out O2 Universum hall in Prague. He arrives at them from sold-out concerts in Prostějov and Ostrava, where fans greeted him with open arms.
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“I am glad to see so many people around me who have not succumbed to the current mood that is being brought against him in the media,” added Jiřina Oršulíková. And she came across criticism that the “Silesian bard” had to face in connection with the fact that he did not return Pushkin’s medal from President Putin.
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“I am not a fan of cheap gestures. Returning medals, kneeling, waving flags, “he said during an online performance in early March. At the same time, he wanted to send money to Ukraine through People in Need. But the organization refused for moral reasons.
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According to analyst of the weekly Euro and publicist Petr Fischer, the medal is “very important” for Nohavica, especially because he has devoted his entire life to Russian culture and the translation of Russian texts. But there is another reason.
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“I would also blame the fact that people simply lose the sensitivity of these important political sensors as they get older and simply accept praise from people they wouldn’t have married it about 20 years ago,” explains Euro weekly analyst and publicist Petr Fischer.
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Debate for the West
However, other artists who are in any way connected with Russia have had to deal with similar behavior all over the world. It is not yet clear whether society should evaluate them only for their work or also in connection with their political and social views.
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Publicist Petr Fischer.
“It simply came to our notice then. Where is the rate for us? And it will probably be different for individuals, but then the whole society and its representatives in that cultural operation must agree. And I think that has been handled quite well so far, and that those who are Putin’s propagandists and who have been involved in connecting art and politics clearly have nothing to do on the European or Western scene, “Fischer describes.
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“For example, Valery Gergiev is one example of having an artist here who is a great performer, a great conductor, but he is more or less a man who does Putin propaganda. It just can’t be disconnected there, “he thinks.
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You will learn how Jaromír Nohavica’s social role has changed over the years and how to avoid only purposeful anti-Russian vision in culture in Friday’s episode 5:59. Listen to more in the audio at the beginning of the article.
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Editor a koeditor: Barbora Sochorova, Dominika Kubistova
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Sound design a hudba: Martin Hůla
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Audio sample sources: interviews with participants of Tuesday’s concert in the Ostrava hall Gong with Dominika Kubištová, YT channel Jaromír Nohavica, YT channels CzechWorkouts, Vrkal
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Podcast 5:59
Team news podcast Lenka Kabrhelová. One crucial topic every weekday for a minute six. The most important events in the Czech Republic, in the world, politics, economics, sports and culture through optics Message list.
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You will find an archive of all parts on our website. Write us your observations, comments or tips via social networks or by e-mail: [email protected].
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