Introduction to the Cancellation
The organizers of the Flanders Festival Ghent cancelled a planned concert by the Munich Philharmonics due to the Israeli conductor Lahav Shani not adequately distancing himself from the Israeli government’s actions. The decision was made to maintain the serenity of the festival and to uphold the conviction that music should be a source of connection and reconciliation.
Reaction to the Cancellation
Instead of serenity, the move triggered a wave of outrage, especially in Germany. Many German politicians and anti-Semitism experts quickly condemned the decision. Germany’s federal government described the step as a "dangerous precedent" and "pure anti-Semitism and attack on the basics of our culture". The German Commissioner of Anti-Semitism also criticized the decision sharply, considering it a "completely unspeakable and deeply anti-Semitic act".
Support from International Theaters
Other European theaters that are planned to host the Munich Philharmonic and Lahav Shani in the same week as the Flanders Festival stated that they will not follow Ghent’s decision. The Luxembourg Philharmonic, which organizes a concert on September 17, said they will continue working with artists from all over the world and do not want to combine with a boycott of individuals based on nationality.
Who is Lahav Shani?
Lahav Shani is one of the brightest young stars of classical music, born in 1989 in Tel Aviv. He is a conductor, pianist, and double bass player, and in 2019 became the director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 2016, Shani has also been the head of the Rotterdam Philharmonic. Although he is already conducting concerts with the Munich Philharmonic, he will officially become the new chief conductor of the German Orchestra from September 2026.
Request for Peace
During the majority of his career, Shani was careful to make political statements. However, in a 2024 guest essay for the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, he expressed his concerns about the future of Israeli democracy and the hope that brave people will soon report on both sides, people who think about the future and dare to take the difficult steps towards peace.
Comparison to Valery Gergiev
The debate about Shani Lahav has triggered comparisons with the Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who was released by the Munich Philharmonic in March 2022 after refusing to condemn the invasion of Russia to Ukraine. However, the Jewish pianist Igor Levit rejected the comparison, stating that Gergiev has been an open, committed supporter, employee, and profiteer of the Russian imperialist dictator for years.
Cultural Boycotts
The Shani affair is part of a wider international debate. Many public personalities hesitate to talk about the Israel-Palestinian conflict due to its complexity and the fear that criticism of Israel could have publicly occupational consequences. There has been an increase in the cancellations of artists and intellectuals in Germany whose attitude to Israel’s politics was considered too critical.
The Wrongfulness of Cultural Boycotts
Jewish-Austrian author Eva Menasse argues that "cultural boycotts are always wrong". She believes they are used by groups to reaffirm their respective moral attitude but are just a distraction from the political steps that need to be taken. Menasse points out that cultural boycotts always lead to more polarization and division in society.
Conclusion
The controversies about the cancellation of the concert have shown how quickly culture and politics become entangled. While some see boycotts as a legitimate form of protest, others warn that they often deepen divisions and risk silencing more important voices. Navigating the complex debates about artistic expression and political accountability will probably remain a major challenge for cultural institutions in a deeply split world.
