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Seoul impresarios bow to Kiev demands to cancel ballet starring prima ballerina Zakharova

The organizers promised to refund the holders of all purchased tickets

Svetlana Zakharova Artyom Geodakian/ TASS

Svetlana Zakharova

© Artyom Geodakian/ TASS

SEOUL, March 15. /TASS/. A production of the ballet Modanse starring Bolshoi Theater prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, which had been scheduled to play at a Seoul venue in April, has been canceled, the event organizers reported.

"We inform you that the production of Modanse, which was scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea on April 17-21, has been canceled, taking into account the safety of the audience and artists. We sincerely apologize to all those who were looking forward to this event, and ask for understanding," a message on the website of the Seoul Art Center, where the performance was to have taken place, reports. The organizers promised to refund the holders of all purchased tickets.

A similar statement was issued by InArts Production, which had organized the tour. The firm said it had to cancel the performance for security reasons, despite having started "planning this event even before the pandemic."

On March 5, the Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of Korea "with all respect for the pluralism of opinions" demanded the cancellation of "cultural cooperation" with Russia and Russian cultural figures. EU representatives joined Ukraine's demands.

The Russian Embassy in Seoul called attempts by Ukrainian and European diplomats to disrupt the performance featuring Svetlana Zakharova, prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater, unexpectedly tactless. The South Korean Foreign Ministry said that private organizations were sponsoring the tour.

The Modanse program, in which fashion and dance are intertwined, portrays the life of Coco Chanel and was created in collaboration with a well-known French brand.

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