Lithuania Cancels Performances by Bohlen and Hauser Over Pro-Russia Remarks

Artists' Lithuanian Concerts Called Off

According to Главком: Lithuania has canceled upcoming concerts by two musicians due to their public statements regarding Russia. Performances by 72-year-old Dieter Bohlen, founder of the bands Modern Talking and Blue System, scheduled for Kaunas and Klaipėda, as well as a concert by Stjepan Hauser in Vilnius, will not proceed. This decision was made following remarks by the artists that drew significant public criticism.

Statements That Sparked the Ban

Dieter Bohlen was set to perform in Klaipėda and Kaunas in November 2022. In recent interviews, he criticized sanctions against Russia and urged Germany to continue purchasing Russian energy resources. The artist also stated that 'Ukraine stands no chance against Russia' and referred to Russia and Germany as a 'dream team.' A video of his comments went viral on social media in late August 2022, further amplifying his controversial stance. This comes at a time when many European nations have taken a firm stand in support of Ukraine following Russia's invasion.

Stjepan Hauser's Vilnius concert was canceled in August 2022. The artist posted a video of himself playing the Russian folk song 'Kalinka' in front of the Kremlin as part of a 'Music Unites the World' project, which also caused outrage. The day after posting this video, Hauser shared a Ukrainian melody, which may have been an attempt to soften the reaction to his previous post.

Mantas Vedrickas, the manager of the Kaunas 'Žalgiris' Arena, stated:

'We consulted with the organizers and agreed that such an event should not take place at our arena.' - Mantas Vedrickas

This indicates that event organizers in Lithuania take public statements by performers and their social responsibility seriously.

The cancellation of concerts for Bohlen and Hauser underscores Lithuania's clear stance against public remarks perceived as supportive of Russia. This decision also reflects a broader trend in European nations, where cultural events have become a forum for scrutinizing artists' political views. As a country that actively supports Ukraine in its struggle, Lithuania seeks to distance itself from any expressions that back Russian positions, which could negatively impact the nation's international reputation.

In light of Lithuania's decision to cancel concerts by Bohlen and Hauser due to their controversial remarks, it is worth noting similar actions taken by other countries. For instance, Rome recently canceled a performance by a Russian ballerina who expressed support for Putin and the ongoing conflict. This trend reflects a growing sensitivity among nations regarding the public statements of artists and the potential impact on their cultural events.