You're reading: Musicians performing at Koktebel Jazz Party in Crimea to be banned from entering Ukraine

Due to the intention of cultural figures (foreign citizens) to visit the occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea to participate in the so-called Koktebel Jazz Party, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has reemphasized that any trip to the occupied peninsula which hasn't been agreed with Ukraine will lead to anyone participating in the trip being banned from entering Ukraine in the future.

“Arrival of foreign cultural figures to the event will have direct consequences – a ban from entering Ukraine,” the press service of the Culture Ministry of Ukraine quoted Deputy Prime Minister, Culture Minister Viacheslav Kyrylenko as saying on Aug. 17.

The ministry said that entering and leaving occupied Crimea has to be conducted in accordance with the procedure for entering and leaving the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine approved by decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 367 as of June 4, 2015.

“If the defined procedure is violated, the perpetrators will be affected by Ukrainian laws,” the ministry said.

In addition, the Culture Ministry of Ukraine thanked De Phazz band for respecting Ukrainian laws as they refused to participate in the so-called Koktebel Jazz Party.

The announced participants of the event include singer Larisa Dolina and guitarist Enver Izmailov.

The Culture Ministry of Ukraine said that the real international festival “Jazz Koktebel 2015” would be held through August 23-30 in the town of Zatoka, Odesa region.

“A lot of famous musicians from Ukraine, Europe and the U.S. will participate in the festival that will be held for the thirteenth time,” the ministry said.