Кисин: I feel a natural desire to travel around the world with an Israeli passport

На прошлой неделе Евгений Кисин получил израильское гражданство. Оказывается, десять лет назад была принята поправка к израильскому закону о гражданстве, согласно которой его могут получать люди, не проживающие в Израиле, но известные своим вкладом в развитие государства и его имиджа. Год назад в письме к Щаранскому с просьбой о гражданстве Кисин написал так:

“I am a Jew, Israel is a Jewish state – and since long ago I have felt that Israel, although I do not live there, is the only state in the world with which I can fully identify myself, whose case, problems, tragedies and very destiny I perceive to be mine <...> If I, as a human being and artist represent anything in the world, it is my Jewish people, and therefore Israel is the only state on our planet which I want to represent with my art and all my public activities, no matter where I live. <...> When Israel’s enemies try to disrupt concerts of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra or the Jerusalem Quartet, I want them to come and make troubles at my concerts, too: because Israel’s case is my case, Israel’s enemies are my enemies, and I do not want to be spared of the troubles which Israeli musicians encounter when they represent the Jewish State beyond its borders"

Пока есть ещё такие люди, "покуда над стихами плачут", - до той поры не оскудело, не отзвенело наше дело.