Serbia asks for explanations in connection with ban for Goran Bregović to enter Moldova

Chisinau, 21 August /MOLDPRES/ - The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Serbia asks Moldova’s authorities for explanations on the case of Serbian artist Goran Bregović, who was denied entrance in Moldova to participate in a festival at Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei).

According to Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic, such a decision does not fit the traditional friendship relations between Serbia and Moldova. ‘’This is a decision which triggered negative reactions and was condemned by the public from Serbia,’’ according to Dacic, quoted by www.nova.rs.     

The well-known artist, Goran Bregović, along with his band’s members, on 20 August was denied entry into Moldova, where they were to sing at a festival, although they had landed at the Chisinau International Airport. The artist subsequently claimed that he had not been given any official explanation.   

One of the reasons publicized is that he was banned from entering Moldova because he openly backs the Russian invasion in Ukraine, as well as the annexation of Crimea by Russia.  

The organizers of the Gustar festival, held at the Old Orhei Cultural and Nature Reserve, informed that the band of Goran Bregović would not be present at the event, given that ‘’they were denied entry into Moldova.’’ The Moldovan authorities said the organizers had been informed in advance that Bregovic had had ban of entry into Moldova since 2022.      

Goran Bregović, 73, was born in Sarajevo, in the present Bosnia & Herzegovina, and declares himself as a nostalgic for the former Yugoslavia. Bregovic openly supported the occupation of Crimea in 2014, where he gave a concert one year later, as well as Ukraine’s invasion by Russia. Although the artist says in a message conveyed to Moldovans that he faced no problems in other parts, the artist is banned from entering Ukraine and Poland. The Moldovan authorities also said the public people who call for war, discord and hatred are undesirable on the territory of Moldova.     

The Ukrainians of the Kalush Orchestra band, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022, gave a concert at the Gustar festival on 20 August, where Bregovic was to sing.  

Photo: zvuki.ru