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Lahav Shani scandal: Festival in Ghent cancels concert!
Cancelation of the Munich Philharmonic concert in Ghent under conductor Lahav Shani due to political requirements and criticism.
Lahav Shani scandal: Festival in Ghent cancels concert!
The cultural scene in Europe is currently dominated by a controversial incident: the planned concert of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Lahav Shani, originally scheduled for September 18, 2025 at the Flanders Festival in Ghent, has been canceled. The festival management justified this step with the current political situation and demanded that Shani clearly distance himself from Israel's war against Hamas, otherwise the orchestra would only have performed with a different conductor.
The cancellation caused an uproar in Germany and Belgium. After massive criticism, the festival's board of directors met again to review the decision, but maintained its original stance. Bavaria's Art Minister Markus Blume spoke of a “scandal” and described the cancellation as an example of “gross anti-Semitism”. Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer described the measure as a “disgrace for Europe” and warned that disinviting German orchestra musicians and Jewish artists crossed a “red line.”
Reactions and financial consequences
The Flanders Festival's decision also has economic implications. Organizers must expect a financial loss of around 160,000 euros. In order to offer fans an alternative, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra gave a short-term concert in Berlin with the same program. This quick reaction shows that, despite the controversy, the musicians still want to be there for their audiences.
In view of the tense situation, an online petition was launched, which has now collected over 16,500 signatures. Political and social voices express different opinions about the incident. Charlotte Knobloch, the former chairwoman of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, sees the cancellation as a blatant example of the ongoing hatred of Jews in Europe.
A broader context of anti-Semitism
The current discussion cannot be viewed in isolation. In recent years there has been an alarming rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Europe, according to Report increased by 77 percent in 2024. The recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations that took place after the Hamas terrorist attacks in October 2023 also blur the lines between legitimate criticism of Israel and open anti-Semitism.
Bärbel Fröhlich, anti-Semitism researcher, emphasizes that anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic statements often go hand in hand. Social tensions are clearly visible and it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate political criticism and hate speech. Policymakers in Europe face the challenge of balancing this fine line.
While cultural actors defend themselves against such developments, the question remains as to where the limits of freedom of expression lie and what role art and culture play in this area of tension. Only time will tell how this debate develops and what consequences it will have for artists and institutions.