Russian Public Events at Sydney Opera House
During the past few months Sydney Opera House has become one of the biggest promoters of Russian culture in Australia. Examples of Russian cultural events inside Sydney Opera House include Eugen Onegin (performed in Russian), In Honour of Pushkin, etc. One of the most appalling events scheduled to run in the Sydney Opera House on September 6 is ROMCA: Anniversary X, a performance of the Russian orthodox choir.
This choir is strongly affiliated with the Russian embassy (here is an example of one of the meetings of the choir leader with the Russian ambassador in 2025). A soloist of this choir, Lawrence Boikov, is a brother of an infamous figure Simeon Boikov, who is known pro-Putin propagandist and supporter of Russia’s terrorism. For over three years Simeon Boikov (who travelled to Ukraine’s occupied territories to meet with Igor Girkin, a person found guilty of downing MH17 flight and killing 38 Australians on board) is hiding inside the Russian Consulate from police arrest. To our knowledge, Boikov, his affiliates and Russian diplomats are behind organising this concert. When this choir performed in Sydney Town Hall, Boikov’s affiliates staged an improvised pro-war performance displaying Russian Z-swastikas on their shirts. Just like when they performed at Sydney Town Hall, this concert will be used by the Russian propaganda.
Stop Whitewashing war crimes
Public Russian cultural events during war help whitewash Russian war crimes and encourage Russians to continue their aggression.
Stop Helping Russian Propaganda
Russia is known for using culture and sport as propaganda. Don’t fall for the narrative that culture is outside of politics. Not in Russia!
Stop prolonging the war
Holding Public Russian cultural events in Australia (when properly highlighted by the Russian media) gives Russians at home the sense of acceptance and makes their actions in Ukraine feel justified. This has a direct impact on prolonging the war.
Stop normalising evil
Today’s Russia means war, terrorism, murder, rape and kidnapping. Just as we would not permit holding German cultural events during World War II, we should not normalise Russia’s evil behaviour by having cultural events in Sydney Opera House.
Contact Sydney Opera House at customeradvocacy@sydneyoperahouse.com and tell them to stop whitewashing Russia’s war crimes and to cancel the performance of the Russian Orthodox Choir.
Sydney Opera House is owned by the NSW government. Contact your local politicians and ask them to intervene!