Ukrainian Oleksandr Romanovsky played on the ruins of the destroyed Russian Drama Theater.
The Royal College of Music in London suspended pianist Alexander from teaching Romanovsky, who went to perform in Mariupol, occupied by Russian troops, writes The Times.
Romanovsky is a pianist from Dnipropetrovsk region, laureate of many competitions, performed as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
In May, together with the violinist Pyotr Lundström, a well-known supporter of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he played Mozart's Violin Sonata in E minor in occupied Mariupol in front of the drama theater building destroyed by the occupiers.
On the photo in social media, the pianist poses with Lundström, wearing a T-shirt with the letter “Z” in front of the Mariupol sign, painted in the colors of the Russian flag.
A spokeswoman for the Royal College of Music told The Times on Tuesday that the pianist is suspended until completion of the official disciplinary r investigation.
Read also: Holiday on the bones: In Mariupol they plan to open a drama theater
Romanovsky himself said in a comment to the publication that he considers his performance in Mariupol, destroyed by Russian troops, “a sign of support for the disadvantaged people in eastern Ukraine” and “contribution to reconciliation”.
On March 16, Russian occupation forces dropped a bomb on the Drama Theater in the center of Mariupol, where a large number of citizens were hiding from the shelling.
The inscription “CHILDREN” visible from above near the walls of the building did not stop the Russians from deliberately dropping two 500-kilogram bombs on the Drama Theater.
Related video
According to the AR publication, about 600 people died as a result of the strike.
