Aliona Strâmbeanu was suspended from the post of interim director of the National Academic Ensemble of Folk Dances “Joc”. A decision to this effect was made by the Ministry of Culture after a number of members of the ensemble went to the St. Petersburg Economic Forum and danced for the fugitive Ilan Shor. The ensemble issued a press release noting that “Joc” did not participate in that event and the dancers concerned during that period were on leave on their own. The group of dancers asked to cancel the order to suspend the director.
Contacted by IPN for details, Liuba Lupashko, senior consultant at the Information and Media Service of the Ministry of Culture, said that following the participation by employees of “Joc” Ensemble in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum with an artistic program, the Ministry of Culture initiated the process of checking the work of “Joc”. A commission was set up for this purpose. The Ministry of Culture also launched an internal inquiry and Aliona Strâmbeanu was suspended from post for the period.
In connection with the participation by “Joc” dancers in the event in St. Petersburg, criticism was disseminated in the public space and the subject was also raised at the plenary sitting of Parliament. The ensemble issued a press release saying that the institution didn’t receive any request to delegate member of the ensemble or the whole ensemble to participate in any artistic performance in the Russian Federation, and the four dancers concerned were on leave on their own.
“We respectfully request that the image and name of the National Academic Ensemble of Folk Dances “Joc” should not be spoiled and that the information that is not confirmed by the official leadership of the ensemble should not be misinterpreted. The institution reserves the right to go to court in case of dissemination of unfounded statements regarding the participation by the National Academic Ensemble of Folk Dances “Joc” in the mentioned event,” the press release also reads.
On Saturday, the ensemble’s employees published a petition with signatures, asking for the cancellation of the order to suspend the interim director from office. The same thing was requested by the European Social Democratic Party, which expressed its indignation at the decision of the Ministry of Culture, specifying that it is an unfair and baseless measure. In this connection, the PSDE demanded the immediate resignation of Minister Sergiu Prodan.
