Opole music festival canceled after artists protests

The Opole music festival, one of the Poland's entertainment staples, has been canceled by the city after numerous artists backed out of the event. Musicians protested when public broadcaster TVP withdrew its invitations to few artists that were deemed “too controversial.” President of Opole, festival host and co-organizer, Arkadiusz Wiśniewski, terminated the contract with TVP, saying that if the event was to happen it would be “a kitsch festival.” The city hopes to organize the festival at “a later date” either with TVP or a different partner, but wants to be responsible for booking the artists. One of the artist who decided to back out was veteran musician Maryla Rodowicz who was set to celebrate her 50th anniversary in the music industry in Opole. TVP president Jacek Kurski called the artists boycott “a political game,” while TVP issued a statement that the festival will take place, without specifying any details including date and location. This year's festival, which would be its 54th edition, was set to take place on June 9-11.