An Edinburgh resident from Ukraine has claimed that a Russian play being performed in the city is being used as 'propaganda.'
Russian forces invaded its neighbour last year forcing millions to flee their homes and seek refuge across Europe with some heading to Edinburgh.
Anna Karenina, the popular and well-known Russian play is a story about relationships, marriage and betrayal. A version is currently being performed at the Lyceum theatre on Lothian Road until June 3.
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This has angered many Ukrainians living in the city as they claim that Russia is using their culture and arts to fund the invasion of the country. They say Russian artists are promoting certain political content on social media in favour of the war.
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Ukraine national Oleksandra Gumeniuk moved to Edinburgh in 2019 to study journalism at Edinburgh Napier University and has become vocal about the play being performed in the city.
The 21-year-old is from the city of Khmelnitsky in western Ukraine. She said: "I just think it is a very insensitive choice by the creative directors or whoever chose this play because out of many spectacular plays, they chose this one, in this moment in time where so many Ukrainians and refugees came here looking for shelter from war that was started by Russia."
"It is quite an ignorant choice, I have seen a lot of outrage from fellow Ukrainians on social media about this regarding Russian culture and arts being promoted and popularised in Edinburgh, in the heart of the city.
"People may argue here that artists are beyond politics and this has nothing to do with politics. Russia have proved that many times that they are connected to politics and they are using their artists to popularise their propaganda to fund the war."
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Oleksandra told Edinburgh Live that many Ukrainians who have seen the posters in the city are not happy with it being performed. She went onto say: "I think overall encouraging and promoting the play is not the best."
"Thousands of Ukrainians have arrived in Edinburgh alone and they could be part of that audience of the theatre and it just seems very insensitive for this to be promoted in this time.
"Russians are bombing our theatres with people inside but here in Edinburgh, Russian theatre is being popularised and promoted."
Edinburgh resident, Robert Joffe knows first hand the outrage from Ukrainians in the city. The 28-year-old is a volunteer involved with some of the refugees.
He said: "It shouldn't be performed here. Russia uses its literary 'classics' to launder its reputation around the world.
"Thousands of Ukrainians have now moved to Edinburgh because of Russia's invasion, and it's quite upsetting for them to see it advertised here."
The Lyceum has been approached for comment.
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