Goran Bregovic, a musician known for supporting the Kremlin regime, is to perform in Romania after his denial of entry to Moldova sparked a diplomatic row with Belgrade.
Authorities in Chisinau have not yet given an official explanation for Bregovic’s ban, but Jurnal.md reported the Serbian artist was not allowed to enter Moldova on Sunday because he openly supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea.
Bregovic’s band had been invited to perform at Guitar Festival, currently taking place in Orhei.
”I’ve toured with my musicians all over Europe many times and never had any difficulties anywhere. I love your country very much, and I am very sorry to have been deprived of the joy and pleasure of appearing before you this time”, the artist said.
He assured his Moldovan fans he would return to Moldova when there will not be ”any obstacles”.
Serbia’s Foreign Ministry has requested clarification from Chisinau regarding the incident.
”This decision does not correspond to the traditional friendly relations between Serbia and Moldova”, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has said.
According to Newsmaker, Bregovic was banned from entering Moldova as of 2022, and festival organisers would have been informed of the ban.
In February 2023, the Moldovan authorities also prevented Belgrade’s football club Partizan supporters from entering the country.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu had previously accused Russia of planning a coup in her country with the help of foreigners, including Serbs, Montenegrins and Belarusians.
However, Dacic denied these allegations, demanding that Moldovan authorities provide Serbia with all evidence in this case, Tanjug agency reported.
On the other hand, Bregovic was welcomed in Romania, where he will perform at an EU–funded festival in the village of Jurilovca and Bucharest on 7 October.
He was invited due to his ”global recognition”, the Mayor of Jurillovca, Ion Eugen, told Europa Libera.
He is performing at concerts all across Europe, so ”I don’t see a problem”, he said, adding that he disagrees with ”the personal principles of the artist”.
(Cătălina Mihai | EURACTIV.ro)
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