USA: Pro-Ukraine activist climbs onto NYC opera stage, likens Putin to Hitler
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, USA: Pro-Ukraine activist climbs onto NYC opera stage, likens Putin to Hitler, 30 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a474e.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 30, 2015
By RFE/RL
A protester climbed onto the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City after a performance by Russian classical music titans Anna Netrebko and Valery Gergiev and held up a sign criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine.
Pro-Ukrainian activist Roman Torgovitsky walked onto the stage as Netrebko and the cast received an ovation following their January 29 performance of the Gergiev-conducted Tchaikovsky opera Iolanta.
Netrebko came under fire from critics last year after appearing in public together with Oleg Tsaryov, a leader of pro-Russian separatists fighting in Ukraine.
Gergiev last year signed an open letter published by Russia's culture ministry expressing "firm" support for the Kremlin's Ukraine policy.
Torgovitsky, who showed the audience a sign likening Putin to Adolf Hitler, was arrested after the protest, a friend of his told RFE/RL. He could not be immediately reached for comment.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
