Lithuania will ban performances by artists who have supported Russia's war against Ukraine
The Lithuanian government has approved a proposal to ban Russian and Belarusian artists and other cultural figures from performing in the country if they have worked in the occupied territories of Ukraine or directly or indirectly supported Russia’s aggression.
According to an initiative by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, artists will be required to sign a public declaration condemning Russia’s military aggression and expressing support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Refusal to sign the document will make it impossible to conduct any cultural activities within the country. The restrictions will not apply to artists who have publicly opposed the occupation and whose activities did not objectively serve the interests of the aggressors.
If the Seimas of Lithuania passes the bill, the new rules will take effect on January 1 of next year. Until now, Lithuanian authorities have limited themselves to issuing only individual decisions banning the entry of cultural figures who supported the Kremlin regime.
Source: LRT.
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