All o these pieces protest the kind of russier we have to day. None of these composers wanted russia to be a particularly strong nation. It's grim it's art that's created under pressure. The people at the top always lose, because, you know, everybody's schemes and schemes and schemes, but ultimately everybody loses.
Vladimir Putin says the West is trying to erase 1,000 years of culture. Arts organizations say they have an obligation to respond to the war in Ukraine.
This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, and hosted by Noel King.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices