Ukraine bill would ban Russian-language songs at public concerts for all performers

A bill in Ukraine would ban the public performance of Russian-language songs and other cultural products by all performers, not only Russian citizens, according to Suspilne Culture, which reported on the proposal on 5 November.

The bill is a proposal, not law. The report does not say what stage it has reached in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, or who sponsored it.

What the bill would change

Under current legislation, only Russian citizens are barred from publicly performing Russian-language cultural products, Suspilne Culture reported. The bill would extend that restriction to every performer, including Ukrainian citizens, at concerts and in public venues.

Violations would bring either a warning or a fine of UAH 13,600 to 25,500. The report does not say who would be fined, whether performers, organisers or venues, or which body would enforce the rules.

Creation not banned

The bill would not ban the creation of cultural products in Russian. Language ombudsperson Olena Ivanovska said it does not regulate private creativity. According to Suspilne Culture, it restricts only the public distribution of such content.

The report does not say how the bill defines a "cultural product" or a "Russian-language" song. It also does not say whether there would be exemptions, for example for classical or historical works, or for songs with mixed-language lyrics. Those details would determine how widely the rule applies.

What is not yet known

The source does not give the bill's registration number, its sponsors, or a timetable for votes. A bill in Ukraine normally needs to pass a first reading and then a second reading in the Rada. It then needs the president's signature before it becomes law. RealUA has not found earlier coverage of this proposal and will update the story if details emerge.