University refuses to rent hall for Nohavica show over Putin medal stance

Olomouc’s Palacký University says it will not rent its Sports Hall venue for a concert by singer-songwriter Jaromír Nohavica that was due to take place in May. A spokesperson for the university said the reason was the musician’s controversial opinions. Mr. Nohavica said recently he would not return an award from Russia’s President Putin, saying he had not received it for waging war.

Responding to this statement, the promoters of a Polish tour Mr. Nohavica had planned pulled the plug on those shows.

The well-known folk artist has condemned Russia’s war on Ukraine.