The Munich Philharmonic was due to perform at De Bijloke in Ghent on 18 September, with Lahav Shani – its future chief conductor – at the helm. However, the festival organisers cancelled the concert after deciding that Shani had not distanced himself enough from the actions of the Israeli government. The decision continues to have political repercussions.
Prime minister Bart De Wever of N-VA described the cancellation as “reckless and irresponsible, to say the least”. “This decision has caused deep consternation in Germany, where it has been labelled antisemitic,” he said in a statement.
“It’s quite unprecedented to demand that artists put their thoughts in writing”
“Imposing a professional ban on someone solely because of their origin is, at the very least, reckless and irresponsible,” he said, adding that it was “quite unprecedented to demand that artists put their thoughts in writing”.
He described the move as the opposite of artistic freedom, and warned that it would tarnish the reputation of Flanders and Belgium.
MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez also responded on Thursday evening, calling the cancellation a disgrace and demanding the resignation of Flemish Culture minister Caroline Gennez, of Vooruit. Gennez had publicly declared her support for the festival after the decision was announced.
“Are we now going to demand that all Belgians state their position on colonisation before deciding whether or not to programme them, according to so-called moral criteria? This is political policing tinged with antisemitism,” Bouchez wrote on X.
International reactions have also been swift. Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, condemned the decision as “pure antisemitism”.
“Musicians, audiences and sponsors come from all over the world. But the Israeli conductor is excluded, which is pure antisemitism,” Prosor told the Funke Media Group.
He accused the organisers of sending a clear signal that Jews were not welcome. “This is a frontal assault on artistic freedom being disguised as criticism of Israel,” he added.
Germany’s ambassador to Belgium, Martin Kotthaus, also issued a sharp response. “I deeply regret the decision of the Ghent Festival of Flanders to cancel this concert,” he said. “The decision and its justification are incomprehensible.”
The Ghent Festival of Flanders starts on Friday. This major annual music event is held across 30 towns in East Flanders each September. Showcasing classical and world music of the highest calibre, around 1,500 artists from Belgium and abroad will perform in historic venues such as Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, De Bijloke, the Ghent Opera and the Handelsbeurs. Around 180 concerts are staged each year.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO SVEN HOPPE / DPA
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