Welsh conductor is under fire for playing Putin propaganda

Welsh conductor is under fire for playing Putin propaganda

Orchestras

norman lebrecht

May 24, 2023

Nation Cymru reports that conductor Craig Roberts and children’s author Mike Church took part in an ‘anti-fascist song festival’ in Samara under the letter Z, symbol of Putin’s ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine.

It is alleged that Roberts and Church joined in reciting a video manifesto attacking ‘Western fascist’ powers.

Roberts is music director of Lewis Merthyr Band, City of Bristol Brass Band and Symphonic Brass Wales; he is also vice chair of the Cross Party Group for Music at the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd.

Senedd Labour member Mick Antoniw said: ‘It is appalling that these people have gone on this freebie and allowed themselves to be used for propaganda purposes by Russia.’

Comments

  • Serge says:

    General advice to writers and readers of Slippedisc: Stop moaning about grownup peoples decisions, everyone. If you don’t like freedom of speech, you can move to… Russia.

  • Anon says:

    Mr Roberts’ statement cringe worthy. As if his shady business trip is somehow encouraging peace in region.

    “…a trustee of the famed Grimethorpe Colliery Band”. Probably not for much longer, particularly if ACE find out.

    • No comment says:

      Here’s his statement, from the link in the article: “For my own part, I have been travelling to Russia and participating in cultural events there for over 15 years. In 2013, I was fortunate to visit Ukraine also.

      “The current situation in the Donbass, and the conflict that has been raging in that region for eight years now, is a tragedy. I firmly believe that it is deeply important that channels of communication – particularly cultural – remain open however, particularly at times like this, between all nations, and that greater dialogue and mediation is required to resolve the current crisis

      “At some point – hopefully soon – this conflict will end, and bridges between nations will need to be rebuilt. Hopefully at that point culture, and the links retained during these challenging times, will be able to play a role .”

  • Christopher Storey says:

    Not much brain power employed by this not useful idiot… always assuming there was a brain there to start with

  • Save the MET says:

    So much for being a patriotic bandmaster. Seems to me his roles will soon be vacant.

  • Affreux Jojo says:

    2023… Making lists of untouchables
    The gutter slipped lower again

  • Gary Sudder says:

    Very concerned abt US empire propaganda-it’s rampant throughout the EU and UK vassals.

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