PEN Canada, an international advocacy group that promotes freedom of expression (a division of PEN International) has come down strong against recent decision by Toronto Symphony Orchestra management to cancel the scheduled appearance of pianist Valentina Lisitsa.
Philip Slayton, President of PEN stated, “Ms. Lisitsa’s politics have nothing whatsoever to do with the TSO or her music. It is a grave error of judgment, deeply contrary to freedom of expression, to cancel Ms. Lisitsa’s performances because her views may offend some.”
Mr. Slayton is urging the TSO to apologize to Ms. Lisitsa and reschedule her performances.
PEN Canada is part of PEN International, which was founded in 1926, and acts as a human rights watchdog against those who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression. It has a membership of over 1,000 artists, which includes Canadian Margaret Atwood, Adrienne Clarkson, John Ralston Saul, David Cronenberg and Yann Martel. It operates on five continents and in over 100 countries.
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