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Barenboim warns of “witch hunts on Russian people and culture”
STORY: With music against the consequences of the war – and with a minute’s silence for the victims of the Russian attack on Ukraine. The head of the Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim, conducted a benefit concert for the benefit of the people of Ukraine on Sunday morning at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. “Dear audience, we are in horrible times. My grandparents came from Belarus and Ukraine. They fled to Argentina from anti-Semitic pogroms in the early 20th century.” In view of the current situation, Barenboim called for caution. “We must condemn politicians loudly and clearly and distance ourselves from them. But we must not allow a witch hunt against Russian people and culture. And upcoming bans and boycotts of Russian music and literature in various European countries, for example, awaken the very worst associations in me.” The proceeds from the concert will go to a UN relief fund. Schubert and Beethoven could be heard, previously the national anthem of Ukraine.
The head of the Staatskapelle Berlin spoke on Sunday before the start of a benefit concert for people in and from Ukraine.