The Adelaide Festival has issued a statement reaffirming its intention to stage Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Golden Cockerel at this year’s festival, as Russian artists around the world face boycotts and sanctions in response to their country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The festival’s Joint Artistic Directors, Neil Armfield and Rachel Healy, said in a statement, “Adelaide Festival stands united against military aggression and war. Our hearts are breaking for the people of Ukraine and their families in Australia and elsewhere. Our Ukrainian and Russian artists are supporting each other and together every member of this company prays that this opera, forged through international collaboration, will be received by audiences as a symbol of hope.”

A scene from Barrie Kosky’s production of The Golden Cockerel at the 2021 Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. Photo © Jean-Louis Fernandez.

“At a time when thousands of courageous Russians are taking to the streets to denounce the invasion, it is important that we remember the remarkable heritage of protest, pacifisms, outrage at autocracy and respect for humanity that Russian art has gifted the world.”

“What better antidote to the actions of this arrogant government than the works of Alexander Pushkin, Leo...