Edinburgh's International Festival board has accepted the resignation of Honorary President and Russian conductor Valery Gergiev after asking the 68-year-old to step down.
The Festival is the latest arts organisation to cut ties with Valery Gergiev, who is a known supporter of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Gergiev has faced increasing pressure to speak out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has been removed from performances around the world.
READ MORE: Edinburgh donation points where vital aid can be left for people of Ukraine
This evening Edinburgh International Festival announced that it has now accepted the resignation of the conductor, who has also been dropped by his own management company, effective immediately.
Gergiev may lose his post as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic should he fail to disavow the military invasion by tomorrow, according to the German city's mayor, Dieter Reiter.
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A spokesperson said: “The board of trustees of the Edinburgh International Festival has asked for, and accepted the resignation of, Valery Gergiev as Honorary President of the Festival.
"Edinburgh is twinned with the city of Kyiv and this action is being taken in sympathy with, and support of, its citizens,” said the Festival’s press department in an official statement.
