The Athens State Orchestra has canceled the planned concert of Russian pianist Denis Matsuev following a wave of criticism on social media. 

Matsuev, a well-known supporter of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, has received awards directly from Vladimir Putin, including the Russian Order of Honour in 2018, making his scheduled performance in Greece highly controversial.

In February 2022, one day after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, his appearance with the Vienna Philharmonic in New York was canceled over his public support of Putin. Since then, he has not performed in the West, as many cultural institutions distance themselves from artists tied to the Kremlin.

Locals and the Ukrainian diaspora in Greece mobilized online after the Athens concert was announced. Comments criticizing the event flooded the orchestra’s promotional posts on Facebook and Instagram, drawing wider attention. 

Talk of staging a protest followed, but before any demonstration could take place the orchestra moved to cancel the event. Within days of the backlash, it confirmed the concert would not go ahead.

“Throughout its many years of activity, the Orchestra has served artistic excellence as well as the values of open dialogue and respect that define the European cultural community. Within this framework, it has chosen to adjust its programming in response to the very recent international situation,” the orchestra said in a statement on Facebook.

Across Europe, cultural institutions have faced growing scrutiny over hosting Russian artists linked to the Kremlin. Many scheduled shows have been cancelled after outcry from local and international communities across the continent. 

Activists argue that figures like Matsuev serve as instruments of Russian soft power, making their presence problematic during Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

The cancellation highlights how grassroots activism and solidarity between Ukrainian and local European communities can lead to swift results. It also reflects a wider European trend of reassessing cultural ties with artists who openly support Russian aggression.