Russian singer Evgeny Nikitin cancels Germany appearance due to swastika tattoo - Polidicks

[QUOTE](CNN) -- Russian singer Evgeny Nikitin has pulled out of one of the world's best-known opera events, the Bayreuth Festival in Germany, because he has a Nazi tattoo, organizers said Sunday. Nikitin was in a heavy metal band as a young man, and got the swastika tattoo then, said festival spokesman Gunther Philipowski. [B]"That is a problem in Bayreuth," Philipowski said. "Bayreuth has a bad history with the Nazis. It's clear that Bayreuth has to be careful about this terrible part of history and has to take a position against it." [/B] The festival is dedicated to the works of Richard Wagner, one of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler's favorite composers. Hitler attended the Bayreuth Festival regularly, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia, which describes Wagner as "an artist long associated with anti-Semitism" and the racist-nationalist volkisch tradition "from which the Nazis drew much of their ideology." [B]Nikitin, 38, a bass-baritone, has "painted over" his Nazi tattoo, and it would not have been visible during his performance in "The Flying Dutchman," Philipowski said. [/B] But there are videos of him online where the tattoo is visible, he said. [B]"I had the tattoos made when I was young. It was a big mistake in my life and I wish I had never done it," Nikitin said in a statement released by the festival.[/B] Nikitin canceled his appearance after discussions with Bayreuth management, the spokesman said. He had already been in Germany rehearsing for his premiere on Wednesday, Philipowski said. Nikitin's agent did not immediately respond to CNN questions about the cancellation. His website still lists him as appearing in "The Flying Dutchman" at the festival this summer. The festival website does not list him in the cast.[/quote] Source: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/22/world/europe/germany-opera-swastika/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2[/url]

Well what the fuck, there's no reason to complain about him if he regrets it.

if he paints over it then it shouldn't be a big issue, jesus christ is the swastika some kind of iconic viewing item that if a german person sees it he instant becomes a war machine or something.

What does his tatoos look like the only picture featured is a picture of Hitler.

[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;36908678]What does his tatoos look like the only picture featured is a picture of Hitler.[/QUOTE] Have you never seen a swastika before?

[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;36908678]What does his tatoos look like the only picture featured is a picture of Hitler.[/QUOTE] that's his intricate tattoo of Hitler with supporting a swastika armlet obviously

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;36908703]Have you never seen a swastika before?[/QUOTE] What I mean by that is where it is, how big etc.

[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;36908751]What I mean by that is where it is, how big etc.[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://hinterlandgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/evgeny-nikitin-swastika-tattoo.png[/IMG]

[QUOTE=jeimizu;36908828][IMG]http://hinterlandgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/evgeny-nikitin-swastika-tattoo.png[/IMG][/QUOTE] Clearer image: [img]http://www.heute.at/storage/scl/bilder/freizeit/kultur/488883_m1msw456q75s1v16046_Unbenannt-1.jpg?version=1342876708[/img] Would this guy have been appearing on stage shirtless or what?

I still don't get how it's been over 70 years since the second world war and Germany is STILL sore about the whole nazi thing. God, there's remembrance, and then there's... THAT.

[QUOTE=DireAvenger;36908937]I still don't get how it's been over 70 years since the second world war and Germany is STILL sore about the whole nazi thing. God, there's remembrance, and then there's... THAT.[/QUOTE] I think a problem would be, if they take off the laws that keep swastikas out of everything, everyone will start wearing them for the hell of it out of spite. And when I say everyone, I mean shithead teenagers.

[QUOTE=Ninja Duck;36908829]Clearer image: [img]http://www.heute.at/storage/scl/bilder/freizeit/kultur/488883_m1msw456q75s1v16046_Unbenannt-1.jpg?version=1342876708[/img] Would this guy have been appearing on stage shirtless or what?[/QUOTE] he was shirtless in those pictures...

[QUOTE=G71tc4;36909024]he was shirtless in those pictures...[/QUOTE] Would you prefer we show you a picture of the tattoo while he wore a shirt? :v:

[QUOTE=DireAvenger;36908937]I still don't get how it's been over 70 years since the second world war and Germany is STILL sore about the whole nazi thing. God, there's remembrance, and then there's... THAT.[/QUOTE] Banning Wolfenstein 3D, when the whole point of the game was killing Nazzies?

[QUOTE=DireAvenger;36908937]I still don't get how it's been over 70 years since the second world war and Germany is STILL sore about the whole nazi thing. [/QUOTE] well if you are american then it would be hard considering WW2 never really went any further on american soil beyond pearl harbour. if you are european you not only live in a world that is a direct result of WW2, you also still see relics and things that date back from that time. so being so fucking callous and crass about it is really dumb get rated dumb and disagree yet no replies, that's disappointing guys

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;36908966]I think a problem would be, if they take off the laws that keep swastikas out of everything, everyone will start wearing them for the hell of it out of spite. And when I say everyone, I mean shithead teenagers.[/QUOTE] Of course, but why shouldn't they? People use disrespectful symbols all the time in other countries and the largest reaction that would be yielded from such an action is a stern talking to. It is no worse than people wearing trenchcoats with Soviet stars plastered all over them, even though they haven't a fucking clue what kind of things the Soviet Union did.

[QUOTE=DireAvenger;36908937]I still don't get how it's been over 70 years since the second world war and Germany is STILL sore about the whole nazi thing. God, there's remembrance, and then there's... THAT.[/QUOTE] Germany has a nazi problem, always has. It's worse in east germany and many metal bands pay homage to it.

[QUOTE=DireAvenger;36908937]I still don't get how it's been over 70 years since the second world war and Germany is STILL sore about the whole nazi thing. God, there's remembrance, and then there's... THAT.[/QUOTE] You don't really understand, its a stigma that Germany's older generations continue to carry and pass on. We don't want to repeat the same mistakes we made, so our culture has revolved around avoiding anything Nazi related whether it be memorabilia, icons, or just ways of life. The younger generation is only now starting to make strides, showing off national pride by flying the German flag in mass during sports events (Euro Cup). Older generations are really nervous about such patriotism being shown because that's how Hitler started gathering strength. It's really quite depressing. I don't agree with this happening, but I understand why. Its just sensitive to many government officials, and not to mention even though it has been 70 years many people still just associate Germany with Hitler.

just get it laser removed?

[QUOTE=Ninja Duck;36908829]Clearer image: [img]http://www.heute.at/storage/scl/bilder/freizeit/kultur/488883_m1msw456q75s1v16046_Unbenannt-1.jpg?version=1342876708[/img] Would this guy have been appearing on stage shirtless or what?[/QUOTE] you can barely see that and unless you look at the picture looking for a swastika I doubt you would see it

Sounds like hes genuinely remorseful about it.

he could easily turn into a black box behind that flower by filling in the gaps between the arms of the swastika, if he dislikes it so much surely that's the best thing to do

[QUOTE=thisispain;36909080]well if you are american then it would be hard considering WW2 never really went any further on american soil beyond pearl harbour. if you are european you not only live in a world that is a direct result of WW2, you also still see relics and things that date back from that time. so being so fucking callous and crass about it is really dumb[/QUOTE] What does banning Swastikas/Nazi imagery accomplish?

[QUOTE=Conscript;36909699]Germany has a nazi problem, always has. It's worse in east germany and many metal bands pay homage to it.[/QUOTE] I heard from a German friend that this is partially due to the effects the Soviet occupation has had.

[QUOTE=King Tiger;36910350]What does banning Swastikas/Nazi imagery accomplish?[/QUOTE] nothing

[QUOTE=BenJammin';36909854]just get it laser removed?[/QUOTE] I've heard that hurts like a bitch, and that's from people with tiny tattoos! I can't imagine how much a fucker that big would hurt!

[QUOTE=King Tiger;36910350]What does banning Swastikas/Nazi imagery accomplish?[/QUOTE] Nothing, but it puts people at ease. That is what counts.

Nazis steal all the good symbols.

[QUOTE=G3rman;36910886]Nothing, but it puts people at ease. That is what counts.[/QUOTE] I guess if you don't like freedom of speech then it might put you at ease.

The Swastika and Items regarding the time are outlawed in Germany because of historical events. Figures why there are so many Nazis in America. Well, still sucks for the fans of this artist.