Due to the crisis in Ukraine and the alleged shooting down by pro-Russian separatists of a Malaysian jetliner last week, the Polish government has canceled preparations for the Polish Cultural Year in Russia and the Russian Year in Poland, planned for 2015. Many orchestras and musicians in both countries are affected by this decision.
According to a government spokesperson, the foreign and culture ministers – Radoslaw Sikorski and Malgorzata Omilanowska respectively – unequivocally came to the conclusion that it is impossible to follow through with the events: « Culture should bring together spectators and artists, there should be a good atmosphere, it must build unity. However, current events do not allow for this. »
