Two festivals scrap Gergiev, a third dithers

The Riga Jurmala Festival in Latvia, a commercial event that relies on the presence of Valery Gergiev and his Mariinsky Orchestra, has been called off altogether in light of the Ukraine war. Its organisers say:

Due to the unfolding tragic war in Ukraine, we have decided to cancel next summer’s Festival. It is not a decision we take lightly but, in times of such human tragedy, we feel that the right thing to do is to forgo the planned events. We strongly condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine!

The Lucerne Festival, patronised by many Russian oligarchs, has cancelled two central concerts:
Lucerne Festival has decided to cancel the concerts by the Mariinsky Orchestra and Valery Gergiev that were scheduled for 21 and 22 August. ‘In view of Russia’s acts of war in violation of international law, we are sending a clear signal of solidarity to the people of
Ukraine. We are deeply concerned and condemn the attack on Ukraine and on innocent people in the strongest possible terms,’ said Executive and Artistic Director Michael Haefliger.

HOWEVER, the Verbier Festival, where Gergiev is music director, has said nothing whatsoever. It is still selling tickets for the summer.

The inconsistency is striking. Riga-Jurmala was co-founded by Martin Engstroem, who also runs Verbier and maintains close ties with Gergiev.

UPDATE: Verbier pulls the plug

Gergiev is still listed, absurdly, as chief conductor of the World Orchestra for Peace.