“How to boycott an artist who sings for peace?”: A Parisian venue apologizes for having canceled the concert of the Israeli artist Liraz

The management of FGO-Barbara, a cultural center in the city of Paris, apologized on Wednesday for having canceled a concert by the Israeli singer of Iranian origin Liraz, stating that they had allowed themselves “to be carried away by pressure and emotions”, according to a statement sent to AFP.

Liraz, a singer and actress especially committed to Iranian women, was going to perform at this venue in the north of Paris on October 25, but the management decided to cancel it, stating, in a message on Facebook, that it could not “maintain the event in conditions in line with the values ​​and commitments we have.”

An online petition, signed by nearly 2,000 people, denounces the “censorship” and “boycott” of an artist because of her nationality. “How can we boycott an artist who sings for peace, the rapprochement of peoples and cultures, a pacifist and feminist?” ask the petitioners, including journalist Ariel Wizman and musician Didier Wampas.

“A message of peace”

In its press release, the management of FGO-Barbara said it was aware of the “strong reactions” to its decision and expressed its mea culpa.

“We sincerely apologize for having created discord in an already extremely divisive international context, marked by massive violence, profound injustices and violations of human rights,” writes this place inaugurated in 2008.

“We realize that we have let ourselves be carried away by pressures and emotions and we can learn from this event that reminds us of the importance of dialogue and verification of information,” the management continues, without further details.

Asked by AFP, the city of Paris “deeply” regrets the cancellation of Liraz’s concert, “whose texts carry a message of peace and defense of Iranian women”, and remembers “her unbreakable attachment to freedom of creation and expression.”

“The diversity of voices, the confrontation of points of view are the very basis of democratic life,” details the municipality, which promises to be “always guarantor” of freedom of creation, “particularly in the cultural establishments linked to it.”

In its statement, the FGO-Barbara management also assures that it has “renewed a peaceful dialogue” with Liraz.

Contacted by AFP, the artist did not want to comment. It was rescheduled at another Parisian venue, the Café de la danse, on October 25.