Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters has Poland gigs cancelled over stance on Ukraine war
Global News
The controversy began when Waters wrote a letter to the Ukrainian first lady in which he called for peace in Ukraine, and blamed "extreme nationalists" in the country for the war.
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters had his tour dates in Poland cancelled amid outrage over his stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to Polish media and statements from the artist.
An official with the Tauron Arena in Krakow, where Waters was scheduled to perform two concerts in April 2023, said the concerts were cancelled by Waters through his manager, “without giving any reason,” read a statement shared widely by Polish media — but Waters claims his team didn’t cancel any shows.
The controversy began when Waters wrote an open letter to Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska early this month in which he called for peace between Ukraine and Russia, and blamed “extreme nationalists” in Ukraine for having “set your country on the path to this disastrous war.”
He also criticized the West for supplying Ukraine with weapons, blaming Washington in particular.
Waters’ letter made no mention of Russia’s responsibility in the war, leading Zelenska to reply on Twitter: “Roger Waters, you’d better ask (Russia’s) President for peace. Not Ukraine.”
Waters’ remarks about the war angered city councillors in Krakow, Poland, where support for the Ukrainian cause is strong. They are expected to vote next week on a proposal to name Waters as a persona non grata, expressing “indignation” over the musician’s stance on the war in Ukraine.
“Taking into account Russia’s criminal attack on Ukraine as well as the increasing number of war crimes committed by Russian soldiers that are coming to light, (the councillors) express outrage at the theses and statements made by Mr Roger Waters in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the resolution states, as reported by the BBC.