The Rubicon Festival, scheduled for next weekend on the outskirts of Bratislava, was called off following a wave of criticism, artist withdrawals, and what organisers described as “external pressure.” Protest groups had launched petitions and public campaigns opposing Ye’s inclusion, citing his history of antisemitic comments and open admiration of Nazi ideology.
In a statement released on Instagram, the festival’s organisers confirmed the cancellation, expressing regret and citing the collapse of support from artists, media partners, and sponsors.
“This was not an easy decision,” the statement read. “Due to media pressure and the withdrawal of several artists and partners, we were unable to deliver the festival at the standard of quality you deserve.”
The event had already been under intense scrutiny. Slovak media had reported that the intended venue remained an unprepared wheat field, raising serious concerns about the feasibility of hosting a large-scale music event within days.
In the days leading up to the cancellation, key Slovak rap artists began pulling out in protest, and one of the two main festival organisers stepped away from the project. Finally, Ye himself deleted a promotional Instagram post that had announced his participation.
West has faced widespread backlash in recent years after a series of incendiary remarks, including declaring himself a Nazi and repeatedly sharing antisemitic views online. His 2024 track Heil Hitler, which openly praised the Nazi leader, triggered fresh condemnation and led to further distancing from the mainstream music industry.
In May, West attempted to reframe his narrative, claiming he was “done with antisemitism” and releasing a revised version of the controversial track under the new title Hallelujah. The updated lyrics shifted focus toward Christian themes, removing explicit references to Nazism—but critics dismissed the move as insufficient.
The cancellation of the Rubicon Festival marks another chapter in Ye’s ongoing struggle for acceptance following his fall from grace in the public eye. For many in Slovakia, however, the episode also served as a broader reflection of resistance to hate speech and extremist ideology under the guise of entertainment.