International piano competition backtracks on banning Russians

A piano competition that hosts people from around the world has changed its stance on allowing Russian competitors.

The Honens International Piano Competition, based in Calgary, said last week it would be revoking invitations to Russian competitors to its 2022 event, but on Thursday it said it will reinstate those competitors.

The group said it wasswayed by thousands of Russian citizens arrested for passive protests against the invasion, the exodus of citizens from Russia and "important voices" from the global music community and the company's past Laureates and current competitors.

Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, in the biggest attack on a European state since the Second World War, causing millions to flee their homes.

Honens said any competitor who expresses support for the invasion of Ukraine will not be welcome in the competition, and said any Laureate of the 2022 competition who demonstrates direct or indirect support for the invasion of Ukraine will be stripped of their Laureate status.

The group did not respond to a question about how it plansto enforce that stance, and declined an interview with CBC.

Earlier this month Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev had Canadian shows cancelled in Montreal and Vancouver.

Many organisations will be feeling pressure back and forth as they choose to implement, or not implement sanctions, said Rob Huebert, associate professor in the department of political science at the University of Calgary.

"On the one hand, there's going to be that desire to try to do whatever is necessary to invoke Western displeasure at the horrific loss of life and actions that are occurring because of this aggression," Huebert said.

"On the other hand, there will also be the counterforce, which will be the recognition that many of the individuals that end up being targeted within some of these actions such as at the piano competition have nothing to do with the Putin administration and therefore nothing to do with the invasion."

Huebertsays micro-targeted sanctionsandeconomic sanctions against the major resources Russiaexports have historically been more effective.

"That's the only type that ever really seemed to really work," Huebertsaid.

"I'm a sceptic when it comes to saying we can target individuals but there are others that are going to say every little bit counts."