The Interior Ministry's Anti-Extremism Department ordered the demolition of a sculpture of Jesus Christ made of garbage in the Siberian city of Omsk following the complaints of the local diocese of the Orthodox Church, Russian media reported.
The sculpture had been set up as part of the "Space Multiplicity" art festival but was swiftly taken down after the Omsk diocese complained to authorities, local news site BK55 reported.
"I received a call from the anti-extremism center," BK55 quoted festival director Vasily Melnichenko as saying. "The Omsk diocese indignantly appealed to [authorities] about the sculpture."
The artists, Maria Shinkevich and Alyona Pozhilenko, were reportedly told that their 3-meter-tall sculpture had been demolished and disposed of.
Shinkevich was quoted by regional news site The Novosibirsk Room as saying that her sculpture was meant to draw attention to the destruction of cultural and historical heritage, and was not meant to be offensive.
State intervention in the cultural field has been widespread in recent months. Earlier this year, Russian Orthodox activists complained about a production of Richard Wagner's "Tannhauser" opera, staged at the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater, claiming it offended the feelings of religious believers. Theater director Boris Mezdrich was fired over the scandal.
A number of Russian regions also banned screenings of the Oscar-nominated "Leviathan," a film about a provincial man's struggles against a corrupt mayor and Church officials. The film struggled to obtain a screening permit in the country, despite having received international praise.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.