Ádám Balogh withdraws from the Honens International Piano Competition due to the ban on Russian applicants.
The young pianist Ádám Balogh, although he qualified, withdrew from the Canadian competition due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, according to Papageno's article . Ádám Balogh explained his decision on his social media page
does not agree with the fact that one of the most prestigious art competitions in the world does not allow Russian applicants to participate due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
"After much thought, I would like to announce that I am withdrawing from the Honens International Piano Competition after the organizers banned all Russian competitors from competing," begins Ádám Balogh, and then continues:
"I am horrified every day by the events taking place in Ukraine. I can't imagine what it must be like for those personally affected. It is heartbreaking to see and hear from colleagues what they and their families and friends have to go through. It is completely unacceptable to support this aimless attack in any way. I think a lot about those who are suffering right now.
As far as I understand, Honens wanted to send a strong message by banning the Russian riders and I would like to do my best to understand and respect their decision. I agree with Western sanctions against Russia, but for me they only make sense if they are direct or indirect, but there is a target.
However, most Russian competitors spoke publicly against the war. I don't know what can be achieved with this decision, apart from dividing even more the people who are otherwise fighting for the same goal, even more than they stood loudly on the side of peace," said the artist.
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