Ukraine–Russia, Taiwan–China, Israel, Iran, USA, and others: More and more countries are appearing on lists compiled by politically minded commentators, journalists, and artists. These lists call for boycotts, demonstrations, or at least political statements. In sports, the same discussion is resurfacing prominently ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Artists (like all other people) who position themselves politically inevitably face reactions to their views. As has happened so often in history, we must ask: Should we, must we, separate the artist from the work? Can art and sports bridge political divides? And who has the authority to make that decision?
I have no universally valid answer to this topic. I only have the wish that each person gather as much objective information as possible before making their own decision—one they can justify to their own conscience and moral compass!