The Rubicon music competition was initially scheduled to happen within the Slovakian metropolis of Bratislava subsequent weekend, however this week organizers introduced that the entire occasion had been scrapped. The information follows a public outcry concerning the competition’s deliberate headliner, Kanye West.
In recent times the artist in any other case referred to as Ye has rightly turn out to be a pariah for, amongst different offensive conduct and allegations of abuse, embracing Nazi rhetoric. One occasion got here on Could 8, the eightieth anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World Warfare II, when West launched a music known as “Heil Hitler,” which ends with a pattern of a 1935 speech by Adolf Hitler.
When Rubicon introduced West’s look, the competition referred to him as a “hip-hop visionary, cultural icon and controversial genius.” However as The Guardian reported in June, the announcement sparked a petition that known as West’s reserving “an insult to historic reminiscence, a glorification of wartime violence and debasement of all victims of the Nazi regime.” The petition, which attracted greater than 3,500 signatures, speculated that West’s look would possibly entice extremists, elevating “reputable concern concerning the look of Nazi symbolism, violent behaviour or the unfold of ideology that’s unacceptable in a democratic society and felony in our nation.”
This week, Rubicon group pulled the plug on their 2025 plans. Pageant organizers alluded to the backlash in opposition to West in a number of statements asserting the fest’s cancellation. Right here’s the one which captioned their Instagram publish:
It’s with remorse that we announce: Rubicon Pageant is not going to happen this yr.
This was not a simple determination. Because of media strain and the withdrawal of a number of artists and companions, we had been unable to ship the competition at the usual of high quality you deserve.
We’re actually grateful to your help and belief. For many who have bought tickets, please be affected person – all refund info will likely be despatched through electronic mail inside 14 days.
This isn’t the top of Rubicon. We’re not giving up. We’re already working to come back again stronger.
With respect,
The Rubicon Pageant Crew
And right here’s the one from the graphic in that very same publish:
DEAR FANS AND PARTNERS,
WE WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SUPPORT.DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING EXTERNAL PRESSURE AND LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES, WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THE RUBICON FESTIVAL WILL NOT TAKE PLACE THIS YEAR. WE UNDERSTAND THIS NEWS IS DISAPPOINTING, AND WE TRULY APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE IT MAY HAVE CAUSED.
WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION AND WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION IN THE COMING DAYS, INCLUDING DETAILS ABOUT THE TICKET REFUND PROCESS.
REGARDING PLANNED PERFORMANCES AND THE POTENTIAL RESCHEDULING OF CERTAIN EVENTS, WE WILL SHARE UPDATES AS SOON AS THE SITUATION BECOMES CLEARER AND ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS ARE CONFIRMED.
WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME, AND WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO BRINGING YOU A FUTURE EVENT THAT MEETS – AND EXCEEDS – YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE REFUND PROCESS WILL BE SENT TO ALL TICKET HOLDERS VIA EMAIL WITHIN 14 DAYS.
WITH RESPECT,
THE RUBICON FESTIVAL TEAM
I suppose the Rubicon actually was crossed right here.