Kyiv Music Academy Drops Tchaikovsky Name in Wartime Rebrand

Kyiv's leading music school has removed the name of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The change is part of a broader effort to erase Russian imperial influence from Ukrainian public life. The institution will now be called the Mykola Lysenko Kyiv National Music Academy. Lysenko was a celebrated Ukrainian composer. The change followed a campaign led by students and staff. Ukraine is undergoing a "decolonization" push since Russia's full-scale invasion. This includes renaming streets and monuments linked to Russia or the Soviet era. The academy stated the move rejects Russia's historical use of culture for political dominance. Tchaikovsky, while globally famous, is seen by many Ukrainians as a symbol of that imperial legacy. The school continues to teach his music. Officials stress the change is about the institution's identity, not artistic censorship.