Ljubljana National Opera bans use of Ukrainian flag in ‘Faust’
The Slovenian National Opera in Ljubljana has banned the use of the Ukrainian flag in the recent production of “Faust”.
Belgian director Frank Van Laecke expressed his displeasure on Thursday, March 17, 2022, when the opera house banned him from displaying small Ukrainian flags in his production of “Faust”.
After the premiere, the director stepped on stage to thank the team involved in the production and said “Faust” could be his last production at the opera house.
He said: “In the fourth act, I wanted small yellow and blue flags behind the window in the kit instead of the blue, white and red flags from my previous Faust production […] However, the opera director, Mr. Staš Ravter, forbade me to use these colors. “
Van Laecke added that Ravter said he would “never step into his opera house again” if he talked to reporters about the ban. According to him, the director received a standing ovation and a standing ovation.
The director then wrote a statement saying he would never agree to censorship or blackmail when it comes to freedom of speech.
The opera’s management said in a written reply that Van Laecke had used applause after Thursday’s premiere “in light of the current political situation. [to express] his view of art. The management is unanimous that the political situation should not affect the original image of the production – the director used blue-white-red flags in the original form of the play – and that the SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana will continue to remain. an apolitical institution, as political themes should not exploit art today or in the future.
The company concluded its statement by adding that it supports Ukrainian artists and Ukrainians.