The Flanders Festival Ghent has cancelled the Munich Philharmonic’s concert scheduled for 18 September, led by its future chief conductor Lahav Shani. The decision, the organisers said, was made not for artistic reasons but because of Shani’s role as music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
In a statement, the festival explained that while Shani has spoken out in favour of peace, his leading position in Tel Aviv raised concerns. “We are unable to provide sufficient clarity about his attitude to the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv,” it said. The organisers added that the decision was taken “in line with the call from the Minister of Culture, the city council of Ghent and the cultural sector in Ghent” to avoid collaboration with partners who had not distanced themselves unequivocally from Israel’s government.
“Given the inhumanity of the current situation, which is also leading to emotional reactions in our own society, we believe it is undesirable to allow this concert to go ahead,” the statement reads.
Munich reacts with dismay
The cancellation provoked a strong reaction in Munich. The City of Munich and the Munich Philharmonic released a joint statement expressing deep concern, calling the decision an attack on European values. “To exclude people from the stage, the concert hall, or other public places because of their origin or religious affiliation is an attack on essential European and democratic values,” the statement said.
Florian Wiegand, superintendent of the Munich Philharmonic, said: “We are stunned that a festival in Belgium, in the heart of Europe, in the country that hosts the capital of the European Union, should take such an unimaginable decision.”
Marek Wiechers, Munich’s cultural commissioner, described Shani as a figure who “stands, with his integrative work and his attitude, like hardly anyone else, for humanity, reconciliation, and understanding.”
Dieter Reiter, Mayor of Munich, added: “The Munich Philharmonic are cultural ambassadors of the City of Munich for openness, diversity, and dialogue — whether at home in Munich or on their tours to concert halls across Europe and the world. I find the decision of the organisers utterly incomprehensible. The City of Munich, and I personally, stand firmly on the side of the Munich Philharmonic and on the side of their future chief conductor Lahav Shani.”
Broader context
The controversy highlights growing political pressure on cultural institutions in Belgium and Europe over links with Israel in the context of the war in Gaza and accusations of genocide. Similar disputes have erupted in recent years, most notably the case of Valery Gergiev, who lost his positions in Munich and elsewhere after refusing to distance himself from the Kremlin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Lahav Shani, born in Tel Aviv in 1989, is regarded as one of the leading conductors of his generation. He is currently chief conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and will become chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic in 2026.
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