Who is actually cancelling Russian culture and art?

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of "cancel culture" in the context of geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It explores the emergence of the "Cancel Russia" movement, characterised by international calls for cultural sanctions against Russia, which, while prominent in public discourse, have not led to substantive legislative changes within the EU. Instead, these movements have been hijacked by the Kremlin to advance narratives of victimisation. In addition, the article discusses the 'Cultural Front of Russia', a movement that promotes conservative values and aligns cultural output with state policies and nationalist agendas. This alignment, the article argues, suppresses creative freedom and censors dissent, in contrast to external accusations of cultural cancellation by Western entities. The article provides a nuanced analysis of how 'cancellation culture' is being redefined in Russia, revealing the intersection of cultural identity, politics and geopolitical strategy.