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01
Mar 2022
Harrogate council leader cancels Russian State Ballet and Opera performance
The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has cancelled a Russian State Ballet and Opera performance in the town following the invasion of Ukraine.
Conservative councillor Richard Cooper announced at a cabinet meeting tonight that the event due to be held at the council-owned Harrogate Convention Centre in October will not go ahead as a result of the “terrible” war.
He said:
Performers from Russian State Opera appeared at the Royal Hall in Harrogate last week just before Russia invaded Ukraine and the onset of arts boycotts and economic sanctions that followed.
Several theatres across the UK have banned similar Russian performances, including at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, the Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton, and New Theatre Peterborough.
At tonight’s cabinet meeting, Cllr Cooper described the war in Ukraine as “terrible” and said the Harrogate district stood ready to welcome refugees fleeing the country.
He said he was contacted by Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones and asked to look at what housing could be offered if the district is called upon to do its part.
Read more:
- LIVE: 24-hour vigil continues as Harrogate district responds to Ukraine crisis
- 24-hour vigil in support of Ukraine to begin in Harrogate tomorrow
Councillor Cooper said:
Councillor Cooper also sought to offer reassurances that the council does not have any direct involvement or investments with any Russian companies. He added:
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