Propaganda Film “Carnets de Russie” Canceled in Brussels

Ukrainian officials have announced the cancellation of a Russian propaganda documentary screening in Brussels following diplomatic intervention and municipal review. The film, titled “Carnets de Russie” (Russian Notebooks), was pulled from its scheduled showing after Ukrainian authorities raised concerns about its content.

“We thank our Belgian partners for their responsibility, constructive cooperation, and solidarity with Ukraine,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated in an official communication reported by Ukrainian National News (UNN). “As long as Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine continues, protecting the public information space from disinformation is extremely important.”

The decision represents a growing trend across Europe to scrutinize Russian cultural exports for potential propaganda elements amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its third year. Belgian municipal authorities evaluated concerns raised by Ukrainian diplomats before making their determination to cancel the screening.

This cancellation follows similar actions across Europe’s cultural landscape. In Germany, the Mannheim Philharmonic recently canceled a February 22 concert featuring Russian violinist Vadim Repin after the Ukrainian Embassy highlighted his connections to Kremlin-sponsored projects and alleged support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Embassy’s intervention prompted organizers to reconsider the performance in light of growing sensitivity around artists with ties to the Russian government or its positions on the war. Cultural venues across Europe increasingly face pressure to examine the political affiliations of Russian artists before proceeding with scheduled performances.

In another recent case, a theater in Florence, Italy canceled performances by Russian ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, further illustrating the widespread reassessment of Russian cultural exports across European arts institutions.

These cancellations reflect a significant shift in Europe’s approach to cultural exchange with Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Prior to the war, Russian cultural products and performers were widely welcomed throughout Europe, with Russian ballet, classical music, and cinema enjoying substantial audiences and critical acclaim.

Media analysts note that the cancellation of “Carnets de Russie” highlights the complex intersection of culture, propaganda, and international relations during wartime. The documentary reportedly presented a perspective on Russia that Ukrainian officials considered misleading and potentially harmful to public understanding of the conflict.

European cultural institutions now regularly conduct enhanced due diligence when considering Russian content or performers, weighing artistic merit against potential propaganda elements. This scrutiny extends beyond obvious state-sponsored productions to include independent artists with ties to Russian government institutions or those who have expressed support for Russian policies.

The trend has sparked debate within European cultural circles about balancing artistic freedom with political concerns. Some critics argue that blanket cancellations risk silencing legitimate artistic voices, while supporters maintain that platforming artists with connections to the Russian government during wartime provides implicit support for its actions.

For Ukraine, these cultural interventions represent an important front in a broader information war. Ukrainian diplomatic missions across Europe have become increasingly proactive in identifying and challenging what they consider Russian propaganda attempts, whether in traditional media, social platforms, or cultural presentations.

As the conflict continues with no immediate resolution in sight, European cultural venues and organizers face ongoing challenges in navigating these sensitive decisions, balancing artistic expression with ethical and political considerations that would have seemed remote just a few years ago.