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World famous Russian musician Bashmet deprived of Lviv professorship

The title of honorary professor was awarded to him two years ago

Yuri Bashmet ITAR-TASS/Zurab Dzhavakhadze

Yuri Bashmet

© ITAR-TASS/Zurab Dzhavakhadze

KIEV, March 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Famous musician Yuri Bashmet is stripped of the title of honorary professor of Lviv's Lysenko National Academy of Music.

The academic council made the decision after the former fellow countryman signed a letter of Russian culture figures in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin's position on Ukraine and Crimea.

Local media reported on Friday that the decision against Bashmet was supported in the academy almost unanimously. The title of honorary professor was awarded to him two years ago.

Violist, conductor and teacher Bashmet lived in Lvov till he was 17. His parents are buried there, and his older brother Yevgeny lives there.

Earlier, the National Opera Theatre in Kiev cancelled a concert of Denis Matsuyev, planned for March 27. On March 11, the world-known Russian virtuoso pianist, together with other known Russian culture figures, including Bashmet, signed the collective letter in support of President Putin's position.

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