According to an announcement posted on Michigan State University’s website, a virtual masterclass by Russian violinist Vadim Repin is scheduled for 11 November. The programme includes a talk to be led by university professor Dmitry Berlinsky for students at the university’s College of Music.
Ukraine’s Embassy in the United States has sent a letter to the university’s leadership expressing concern about Repin’s participation in an event for students. In the letter, a copy of which is available to the editorial team at LB.ua, Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires in the United States, Denys Senik, notes:
“Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Vadim Repin Arts Development Foundation has received more than 100 million roubles from the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, a body directly accountable to the Russian President’s administration and operating as an instrument of state cultural policy. In March 2025, President Putin personally endorsed Mr Repin’s activities by sending a letter to participants of the Trans-Siberian Art Festival, organised by Mr Repin. This letter was published on the Kremlin’s website. Mr Repin and his family have undeniably strong ties to the Russian government.”
The diplomat also recalls that on 21 February 2024 Mr Repin performed with the State Kremlin Orchestra at a concert organised by the Kremlin Foundation for Defender of the Fatherland Day, which was openly presented as a tribute to Russia’s “great defenders”.
“Mr Repin is part of Russia’s propaganda efforts aimed at improving Russia’s international image and concealing the truth about the daily horrific attacks on Ukrainian civilians,” the letter says.
The diplomat also noted that the Michigan State University Center for European and Eurasian Studies had previously issued a statement condemning Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was signed by 38 university professors.
Activists from the Arts Against Aggression organisation have also called for cooperation with Vadim Repin to be cancelled. In an appeal published on the organisation’s website, they likewise emphasised the violinist’s close ties to Putin. They also urged attention to Professor Berlinsky’s financial links to Repin’s festival.
It should be recalled that earlier this autumn Repin’s performances at Maryland Hall with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, previously scheduled for 6 and 7 November, were cancelled. Following protests by local activists, a petition with more than 900 signatures, and an appeal from Ukraine’s Embassy, the invitation to the Russian violinist was withdrawn. Instead of Repin, American violinist Francesca Anderegg took to the stage at Maryland Hall (Francesca Anderegg).