Belarusian singer Max Korzh held a concert in Istanbul on June 6, during which – as in his other performances – he called for an end to the war. There were Ukrainian and Russian flags in the hall. This angered some commentators on social networks.
Since the beginning of the Great Russo-Ukrainian War, Kurz has performed for the first time in a country where Russian citizens do not require an entry visa. His other concerts were held only in Europe. This caused a huge uproar among fans of the Russian artist. Besiktas Stadium (its official capacity for sports competitions is 42 thousand spectators) was completely filled. On the eve of the show, fans held noisy demonstrations in the city. They passed peacefully – unlike the marches that took place during Korzh’s concert in Warsaw last year.
In the hall there were many national flags of Ukraine and Russia, as well as Belarus (official and used by the opposition white-red-white), Kazakhstan, Georgia, Latvia, Israel and other countries where many Russian speakers live. The owners danced and took pictures together.
At the concert, Korze performed the anti-war song “My Home”, which he wrote in 2022. He ended it by chanting “Stop the war” and then… resume To the audience: “Every one of you can stop it. Just by not participating in this hate. By not participating in these comments. Just by not participating in these fights.” […]. And of course without physically participating in it.”
Music journalist Alexander Gorbachev talks in detail about how even those who don’t listen to rap learned about Max Korzh in the book “When We Sing, the Wind Rises. A Brief History of Popular Music in Russia in the 21st Century.” It can be purchased at connection.
The Korzh concert is very actively discussed on social networks in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries. Majority comments – positive. Users write that the concert gave them hope for reconciliation, and thank Korzhe for uniting people with his music.
But many users in Ukraine reacted negatively to the concert. They were angry that Korzhe spoke from an abstract world, without directly naming Russia as a culprit in the war.
artist accused It is that he actually removes responsibility for what is happening from “ordinary” Russians, and places it on politicians (without even naming them), while the Russian army commits crimes in Ukraine. Some users criticize Ukrainians who attended the ceremony raised Ukrainian flags alongside Russian flags – and even suggested this might be a provocation.
On the first day of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Max Korzh publicly condemned the war, and in the summer of 2022 he recorded the song “My House”. Its chorus includes the words: “He who defends his home is right.” He then canceled all planned concerts in Russia.
Since 2023, Korzh has resumed concert activities in Europe. During his performances, he regularly called for an end to the war and stressed the difference between politicians and ordinary people. The most extreme Ukrainian commentators criticize Because of the “simplification” of his speeches, suggesting that he is simply afraid of losing a large Russian audience.
attention. There is a swear word in the next paragraph.
During the concert in Bucharest, which preceded the show in Istanbul, where many Ukrainians were also present, the audience at some point began chanting: “Putin is an idiot!” Korza reaction Like this: “Friends, at this party, at the next party, no one else’s name can be shouted except my own. Neither in a good context nor in a bad context, there is no need to promote anyone.” At the entrance to a concert in Bucharest, security removed national flags from spectators.