Russian musician's performance in Budapest is cancelled after Ukrainian efforts

A performance by Russian violinist Vadim Repin to open the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra's concert season in Budapest has been cancelled thanks to the efforts of the Ukrainian embassy.

Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; European Pravda

Details: A Hungarian violinist replaced Repin, whose performance had been set to be the highlight of the season opening.

Quote from Ukraine's Foreign Ministry: "The Margaret Island Theatre (Margitszigeti Színház) is one of the most prestigious summer theatre venues in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe. Located in the heart of Budapest on Margaret Island, it hosts more than 70 cultural events every summer as part of a summer festival, presenting opera, ballet, musicals, and classical and contemporary music performed by leading Hungarian and international artists."

More details: The Foreign Ministry reiterated that "Russian culture is a culture of genocide and war crimes that should have no place on any international platform".

Quote: "Ukrainian diplomacy will continue to work tirelessly to isolate representatives of the Russian cultural sector in the global culture industry."

Background:

• The Embassy of Ukraine in Luxembourg recently expressed concern over a performance by Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko set to take place on 15 June at the Luxembourg Philharmonie and raised the issue with the authorities.
• In January, the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino cancelled a performance by Russian artists who openly support Kremlin policy on Ukraine.
• A concert in the Netherlands by pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja was cancelled in November 2025 after she performed with pro-Putin musicians.

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