1/16 We need to talk about Valery Gergiev. He’s not just a talented world-famous conductor who happens to be from Russia — he’s also one of Putin’s unofficial Ministers of Foreign Affairs, an ambassador of Putin's regime, and a soft power weapon. Let me prove it.

2/16 In August 2008, immediately after Russian troops invaded Georgia, Gergiev appeared in Tskhinvali to conduct a candlelit concert on the steps of the burned-out parliament building. He openly said the performance was meant to “open the eyes” of Western audiences.

3/16 In 2016, Gergiev performed among the ruins of Palmyra, celebrating Russia’s military campaign in Syria. The concert was headlined by Putin (naturally, not in person, but via video address). Gergiev was later awarded a medal for the "liberation of Palmyra" by Putin himself.

4/16 Gergiev carries the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Games. He also performs at a concert on Red Square during the FIFA World Cup — both attended by Putin, of course.

5/16 The most mind-blowing example: in 2014, Gergiev organises a charity concert in Rotterdam — wait for it — for the victims of MH17, the plane shot down over Donbas. He is deeply saddened and categorically condemns this brutal terrorist act. BUT IT WAS PUTIN WHO DID IT.

6/16 Gergiev's mission is to play the role of a distraction. With grand productions and dramatic flair, he shifts the spotlight. “Don’t look at Putin — look at me waving this little stick.” Why hear about war crimes when you can listen to Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich instead?

7/16 And now, at the upcoming concert in Italy, the same old “don’t look up” trick is about to be played. 'Music is above politics'. But inviting Gergiev IS politics. Otherwise, why would the president of the Campania region be waving NATO maps to justify Gergiev's concert?

8/16 Putin and Gergiev grew close in the 90s. They’re not just associates — they’re close friends. And they struck a deal. Gergiev gets top posts and big money. In return, he becomes the new export face of Putin’s regime — far more charismatic than the dull Kremlin bureaucrats.

9/16 I have no doubt Gergiev genuinely loves music — but he loves money more. And Putin showers him with it. This is how it works:

10/16 Gergiev runs a foundation that supposedly supports young musicians and promotes classical music. In reality, it’s a vehicle for personal enrichment. Putin makes oligarchs and state companies like VTB and Russian Railways to fund it —and Gergiev spends the money on himself.

11/16 We got hold of their bank records. For example, the 'charitable' foundation’s account was used to buy 7 luxury apartments in Moscow and St.Petersburg, worth over $13m. Maybe they house promising young musicians from the provinces. But something tells me it's not the case.

12/16 The same account was used by Gergiev to pay for a private jet rental ($37,000) — and to stock up on Hennessy, Beluga, and Moët champagne (€20,000). Even a simple bill at Café Fiorello in NYС (€2,200) was covered with charity money. So are his monthly utility bills.

13/16 Gergiev doesn’t shy away from topping up his personal bank account either. Between 2018 and 2020, around €4 million was transferred from his “charitable” foundation straight to the Maestro’s personal account — on top of his salary, performance fees, and everything else.

14/16 Here’s a handy infographic from independent Russian journalists — it shows the incoming funds to Gergiev’s foundation. As you can clearly see, after Putin launched the war and Gergiev backed it, the “charity” began doing even better. More money started flowing in.

15/16 When the war began, Gergiev was removed from all his international posts. For 3.5 years, he couldn’t perform his main function — distracting the West from Putin’s crimes. But this July, unless Italian authorities react to the protests, he’ll make a triumphant return.

16/16 GERGIEV'S CONCERT IN ITALY MUST BE CANCELLED. It just must be. Really.

Thank you for reading and sharing. This thread is based entirely on the work of Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation. Please support our work — and help us keep telling the truth. https://donate.fbk.info/mp