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The memorial concert planned for June 28th in Berlin for the late Russian opposition leader Alexej Nawalny has been canceled. The PET Shop Boys who were supposed to appear at the event officially announced this on their Instagram channel. The Venue, which Uber Eats Music Hall in the Friedrichshain district of Berlin, also confirmed the cancellation on request.
The PET Shop Boys also shared a message from the organizers, which did not state the circumstances that had not been explained in more detail, which would have led to the cancellation of the event. The award ceremony of the first Alexej Nawalny Prize should also take place at a later date. Tickets and travel expenses that have already been purchased should be reimbursed to the visit: according to the post office.
Planned program with Russian artists and Julia Nawalnaja
The concert should also offer space for Russian artists who wanted to comment on Nawalny’s life and work. In addition, a live conversation with Julia Nawalnaja, the politician’s widow, was planned. Julia Nawalnaja is a well -known human rights activist and was also known as the “First Lady” of the Russian opposition in the media.
More about Alexej Nawalny
Alexej Nawalny died in a Russian penalty camp on February 16, 2024. As a prominent critic of the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin, he was a central figure in Russian resistance to the government.
The Pet Shop Boys recently put a musical monument to him with a specially composed song: “Hymn (in Memoriam Alexei Navalny)”. This song has been published in three versions – including a “Dance Mix” that contains passages from Nawalny’s prison letters and his autobiography “Patriot”.