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Belgian Festival’s Decision to Cancel a Concert Led by an Israeli Conductor Draws Criticism

26 August 2025, Berlin: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured). (dpa)
26 August 2025, Berlin: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured). (dpa)
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Belgian Festival’s Decision to Cancel a Concert Led by an Israeli Conductor Draws Criticism

26 August 2025, Berlin: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured). (dpa)
26 August 2025, Berlin: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured). (dpa)

Belgium's prime minister traveled to neighboring Germany for a concert led by an Israeli conductor whose appearance was canceled by a Belgian festival, a gesture that added to strong criticism of the decision.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz thanked Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in a social media post Sunday for "his strong signal of solidarity” after he attended the concert given in Essen Saturday evening by the Munich Philharmonic and conducted by Lahav Shani, who is due to become the orchestra's chief conductor next year. Shani is also music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and currently chief conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

On Wednesday, the Flanders Festival Ghent said it was canceling a concert by the Munich Philharmonic under Shani scheduled for Sept. 18.

It said in a statement that Shani “has spoken out in favor of peace and reconciliation several times in the past, but in the light of his role as the chief conductor of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, we are unable to provide sufficient clarity about his attitude to the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv."

Israel vehemently denies that it is committing genocide in Gaza, but has faced increasing isolation over its actions, including in the cultural sector.

Israel’s ambassador to Belgium, Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, wrote on social network X that “there are words to describe discriminating (against) a person based solely on his origin. Racism. And in a case of Jew, antisemitism.”

The decision to uninvite Shani and the Munich orchestra has drawn criticism in Germany. A music festival in Berlin invited them to perform at short notice on Monday.

De Wever posted a picture of himself with Shani on X and wrote that “there will never, ever be any room for racism and antisemitism” in Belgium. He added that he strongly condemns the cancellation of the Ghent concert “solely on the basis of the origin of conductor Lahav Shani.”

“I insisted on conveying this message to him personally and expressing my appreciation for his contribution to the power of music,” said the prime minister, who was joined by Germany's ambassador to Belgium.

In thanking De Wever for his gesture, Merz wrote that “we must give no space to this naked antisemitism.”

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Culture

Saudi Arabia Participates in Cairo International Book Fair 2026

Saudi Arabia Participates in Cairo International Book Fair 2026
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Saudi Arabia Participates in Cairo International Book Fair 2026

Saudi Arabia Participates in Cairo International Book Fair 2026

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission will lead the Kingdom’s participation in the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair 2026 taking place from January 21 until February 3.

CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Abdullatif Alwasel stated that this participation is an extension of the commission’s ongoing efforts to enhance the Kingdom’s cultural and literary presence at the regional and international levels and to introduce Saudi cultural heritage, while underscoring the Kingdom’s role in leading the global cultural landscape.

He noted that the commission has mobilized its capabilities to support the participation of Saudi publishing houses in book fairs both within and outside the Kingdom, while also working to attract international publishers to participate in Saudi book fairs by building new partnerships and strengthening channels of cultural cooperation.

The Kingdom’s participation in the fair, which is organized by the General Egyptian Book Organization, aims to strengthen cultural relations and knowledge exchange between the Kingdom and Egypt, enhance cooperation in the fields of literature, publishing, and translation, support and promote Saudi publishing houses and literary agencies internationally, and raise awareness of Saudi cultural heritage in global forums.

Culture

Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
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Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

French investigators remain determined to find the imperial jewels stolen from the Louvre in October, a prosecutor has told AFP.

Police believe they have arrested all four thieves who carried out the brazen October 19 robbery, making off with jewelry worth an estimated $102 million from the world-famous museum.

"The interrogations have not produced any new investigative elements," top Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said this week, three months after the broad-daylight heist.

But the case remains a top priority, she underlined.

"Our main objective is still to recover the jewelry," she said.

That Sunday morning in October, thieves parked a mover's truck with an extendable ladder below the Louvre's Apollo Gallery housing the French crown jewels.

Two of the thieves climbed up the ladder, broke a window and used angle grinders to cut glass display booths containing the treasures, while the other two waited below, investigators say.

The four then fled on high-powered motor scooters, dropping a diamond-and-emerald crown in their hurry.

But eight other items of jewelry -- including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise -- remain at large.

Beccuau said investigators were keeping an open mind as to where the loot might be.

"We don't have any signals indicating that the jewelry is likely to have crossed the border," she said, though she added: "Anything is possible."

Detectives benefitted from contacts with "intermediaries in the art world, including internationally" as they pursued their probe.

"They have ways of receiving warning signals about networks of receivers of stolen goods, including abroad," Beccuau said.

As for anyone coming forward to hand over the jewels, that would be considered to be "active repentance, which could be taken into consideration" later during a trial, she said.

A fifth suspect, a 38-year-old woman who is the partner of one of the men, has been charged with being an accomplice but was released under judicial supervision pending a trial.

Investigators still had no idea if someone had ordered the theft.

"We refuse to have any preconceived notions about what might have led the individuals concerned to commit this theft," the prosecutor said.

But she said detectives and investigating magistrates were resolute.

"We haven't said our last word. It will take as long as it takes," she said.

Culture

Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)
Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)
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Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)
Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)

Arts AlUla has announced the lineup of Saudi and international artists participating in the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla, the international open-air art exhibition held in collaboration with Desert X.

 

Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks, ranging from large-scale installations and sound pieces that stretch across and beneath the desert landscape, to kinetic works and immersive interactive experiences.

 

The showcase reflects a deep connection to AlUla’s unique environment, its dramatic natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

 

Desert X AlUla, the region’s first public art biennial, will feature 11 artists presenting diverse perspectives, materials, and artistic traditions in their large-scale works in its 2026 edition.

 

The program offers a delightful mix of performances and interactive family activities, alongside dedicated programs that blend sound, movement, storytelling, and play.

 

Also, the visitor pavilion will host a live music program curated in collaboration with AlUla Music Hub, creating moments where art, nature, and community converge in a shared experience shaped by rhythm and a strong sense of place.

 

Arts AlUla confirmed that Desert X AlUla 2026 will be open to the public.