“Labeling Russian culture is wrong” – Lithuania’s new culture minister

Source: LRT

In a bid to move away from blanket bans for Russian artists, Lithuania’s incoming Minister of Culture, Šarūnas Birutis, said his Baltic country needs more nuanced approach to Russian culture and its representatives.

“We understand that the Russian people are not the Kremlin. For millennia, they have been our neighbors and likely will remain so. Many people of Russian descent live in Lithuania as citizens, and most are loyal to Lithuania as their homeland. It is entirely wrong and inappropriate to stigmatize their nationality or culture,” said Birutis in an interview with LRT.

The minister argued for a balanced approach to Russian artists and musicians who plan to perform in Lithuania:
“Artists are different. Many have emigrated, and some openly oppose the Kremlin’s regime. It’s important to distinguish between those loyal to the regime and those resisting it. They are also part of Russian culture and should not all be painted with the same brush.”

His views appear to be at odds with earlier proposals by outgoing Minister Simonas Kairys, who called for a “mental quarantine” on Russian art in solidarity with Ukraine. In December 2023, Lithuania’s Seimas Cultural Committeeeven proposed a commission to screen Russian artists  to identify pro-Putin affiliations. However, the government rejected the idea.