Middle position within society denies accusations of anti-Semitism, as stated by Wolfram Weimer.
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra's Lahav Shani Faces Anti-Semitism Allegations in Europe
Lahav Shani, the music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, is currently leading the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra until the end of the season. This includes a scheduled European tour, which will conclude with two concerts in the Wiener Musikverein.
However, Shani has been at the centre of a controversy regarding allegations of anti-Semitism in the cultural sector. The Flanders Festival in Ghent disinvited him due to his refusal to comment on his stance towards the Israeli government and the war in Gaza. This decision has sparked a debate about the increasing anti-Semitism in Europe.
The Bundestag's Culture Committee will address the topic of anti-Semitism in the cultural sector and German-Israeli cultural relations this year. Lahav Shani was invited by the committee's chairman, Sven Lehmann, as a gesture of solidarity. In a recent meeting, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke with Shani and his wife, stating that the disinvitation from the festival was 'unjustified' and 'clearly anti-Semitic'.
The committee chairman, Sven Lehmann, emphasized that music and art should connect, not create new divisions, and that artists in Europe should not be suspected based on their origin or religion. Wolfram Weimer, the German government's commissioner for culture and media, shared similar sentiments, stating that the cancellation raises questions about the increasing anti-Semitism.
Weimer compared the current situation to the Nuremberg Laws enacted by the Nazis 90 years ago, which declared German Jews second-class citizens. He recalled instances of boycotts in the club scene and the debate over the participation of Israeli singer Yuval Raphael in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Despite the controversy, Shani's talent and influence continue to shine. His recent concert in Berlin, hosted by the Musikfest Berlin, was a resounding success. The event, which took place under security measures, featured Beethoven's violin concerto with soloist Lisa Batiashvili, prelude and love death from Wagner's 'Tristan', and an encore of Fritz Kreisler's 'Liebesleid' with the conductor.
The concert was attended by notable figures such as the Minister of Education Karin Prien, the former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Daniel Barenboim. Mathias Pees, the Intendant of the Berliner Festspiele, welcomed Shani, who was born in Tel Aviv but has lived in Berlin for 14 years and holds both Israeli and German citizenship.
In addition to his upcoming concerts in Paris, Luxembourg, and Vienna, Shani will conduct the Philharmonic again in December and appear with Igor Levit and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on November 11. He will also perform with Martha Argerich and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra on December 4.
Wolfram Weimer expressed optimism about Shani's moral depth and humanistic breadth. He believes that Shani's experiences and perspective can contribute significantly to the discussions and actions aimed at combating anti-Semitism in the cultural sector.
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