Russian Rock Festival Fined Over LGBT Themes During '0+' Age-Rated Event

In the Russian republic of Udmurtia, a court has fined the organizers of the rock festival “Uletay” (YLETAЙ) 20,000 rubles for incorrect age labeling of the event. The posters carried a “0+” sign, but the musicians’ repertoire contained profanity and alleged “propaganda” of non-traditional sexual relationships and drugs, the state news agency RIA Novosti reports .

The fine was imposed on “Mobil-Line”, the company organizing the event. According to the prosecution, violations were found in the performances of the bands F.P.G., Jane Air, “Smeh”, “Luchshiy samy den”, and “Chitmeal”. Their lyrics included themes prohibited for demonstration to minors.

Initially, the organizers faced a fine of up to 50,000 rubles or a suspension of activities for up to 90 days. However, the court took mitigating circumstances into account: the company voluntarily eliminated the violations. It is not specified whether this involved changing the age rating or adjusting the concert program.

The “Uletay” festival is one of the largest open-air music events in Russia, held in Udmurtia since 2007. In recent years, the country has actively applied legislation banning so-called “LGBT propaganda,” which regularly targets books, films, music videos, and other artworks.