OREANDA-NEWS  The dismissal of Russian conductor Vladimir Spivakov from the International Music Festival in Colmar, France, caused a mixed reaction among the French.

They were outraged that the talented conductor, who had been running the festival since 1989, was losing his position only because of his passport. Especially after he condemned the actions of the authorities.

As Spivakov tells, he learned the news about his dismissal from a French friend. He sent him the news published on the local website. And on October 25, he received an official letter indicating his dismissal. There were no reasons, except for one phrase "for all obvious reasons." He believes that these reasons are political. And no one signed the letter of dismissal itself.