Felix Redka's concert in Lviv was canceled following a scandal over his remarks
A concert by stand-up comedian Felix Redka was canceled at the Dovzhenko Center in Lviv. The reason was the comedian’s controversial remarks, which were brought to light by local activist Taras Khavunka.
Taras Khavunka, a lecturer at the UCU School of Public Administration and a trainer in regulatory policy and advocacy, wrote that he finds the very fact of such a concert taking place in Lviv distasteful and added that he is particularly outraged by the venue—the Dovzhenko Center. After the cancellation, the online community split into two camps.
Redka’s concert in Lviv was canceled
“On October 29, a performer who systematically promotes blatantly pro-Russian narratives is scheduled to perform at the Dovzhenko Center—a Lviv municipal enterprise owned by the community that uses public property and resources. Felix Redka has the right to perform, joke around, and seek out private concert venues for himself. And you and I will have the right to take this choice into account and reconsider our attitude toward a specific private venue. After all, we still live in a democratic country where freedom of speech does not negate the freedom of public judgment,” the activist noted.
According to him, fundraising for the army “cannot serve as a universal get-out-of-jail-free card for any public statements or anti-Ukrainian positions.”
Later, Felix reacted to the cancellation of his concert at the Dovzhenko Center.
“My ‘Odyssey’ concert was canceled in Lviv. Without warning. Stock up on popcorn. Everyone’s going to be poor,” Redka wrote.
Later, the stand-up comedian recorded a video in which he begins by climbing out of a trash can.
“Lviv is no different from any other city in Ukraine. Why can I, a citizen of Ukraine, perform in one part of the country but not in another?” the comedian asked.
According to Felix, he has performed at the Center many times during the full-scale war, and the organizers had no complaints. He also asked ironically why his “Slobozhansky ass can’t pass Galician facial recognition.”
The comedian urged people to buy tickets for other shows on his “Odyssey” tour.
Who Came to Redka’s Defense
Actor and blogger Zhenya Yanovich spoke up for Felix. He wrote a lengthy post about the controversial nature of Oleksandr Dovzhenko himself.
“In private conversations, I often say that we need to seek mutual understanding, not reasons to pick on our own people. I often mention Felix specifically in these conversations. Many people disagree with this. However, that’s my opinion. I don’t agree with all of Felix’s views. But I believe he brings a lot of Ukrainian identity to Ukraine. That, to me personally, is what matters most. And canceling his concert in Lviv—that’s not okay,” Yanovich says.
“Because one person decided that there are Ukrainians worthy of performing at the Dovzhenko Center in Lviv—and others who aren’t. Felix’s concert was canceled. I’m absolutely no fan of Felix’s art or his provocations. But this is art! He has a lot of fans,” noted comedian Mykola Zyryanov.
“I want to say that canceling this concert is no different from canceling my concerts. As experience shows, today Felix is the enemy, and tomorrow they won’t like something Anton says and will cancel his show. The only question is who will stand up for you—and whether anyone will stand up for you at all,” wrote stand-up comedian Alla Volkova.
Who supported the cancellation
Ukrainian blogger Olena Mandzyuk wrote: “You really have to go out of your way to defend that old-timer against the backdrop of Oleksandr Dovzhenko.”
Communications specialist Yarema Dukh compared Felix to People’s Deputy Oleksiy Goncharenko.
And comedian Anton Tymoshenko mocked Redka with an ironic post: “Friends, I regret to inform you that my concert in Lviv is not being canceled. I won’t be able to stay home and play through Kingdom Come Deliverance 2—I’ll be coming to perform for you instead.”
Blogger Tetyana Mykytenko (Ragulivna) also spoke out against Felix.
Source: FOCUS
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