The competition was scheduled to take place at the Historical Museum and Nacka Music School on May 23–June 1. However, after SVT reported about the event’s ties to Russia, the organizers canceled it.
Asa Marnell, director of the Historical Museum, acknowledged that the organizers were not properly vetted before approval was granted to use the venue.
SVT described SIMC as a classical music contest for children and young adults that originated as an offshoot of Russia’s Savshinsky Music Competition in St. Petersburg.
Both competitions reportedly share several key figures. Participation fees can be paid directly to a Russian organization. Fourteen jury members are employed by Russian state institutions that have publicly supported the war against Ukraine.
Both competitions partnered with the Herzen University in St. Petersburg—an institution that avowedly supports dictator Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine. The university previously donated “humanitarian aid” to Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.
The Historical Museum in Stockholm canceled SIMC on its premises, saying that participation in the project conflicts with the institution’s policies.