Row over regional support for Russian culture week

A political row has broken out over the South Moravia region’s proposed financial backing for a week of Russian culture timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Local leaders of the TOP 09 political party have called for the 200,000 crown support to be cancelled unless Russian intervention in Ukraine ceases. TOP 09’s Jan Vitula said support for a Russian cultural week now would be like holding a Richard Wagner week in 1938. Wagner was Adolf Hitler’s favorite composer and his descendants were enthusiastic supporters of the Nazi regime. The South Moravia region has reacted by saying that culture should be separated from politics.

Author: Chris Johnstone