Slovak Rubicon festival canceled; Ye concert will be moved to Prague

This year’s edition of the Slovak Rubicon Festival, which was scheduled to feature American rapper Ye next week, has been canceled.

Organizers announced the news on Instagram on Wednesday, citing unspecified unforeseen circumstances, including logistical challenges and external pressures.

A local Bratislava district office, where the festival was set to take place, said organizers had informed them that Ye’s concert was being moved to Prague in September. The festival itself is also expected to take place in Prague next year.

Public skepticism about the event had been growing in recent weeks. Last week, ticket vendor Ticketportal suspended sales for the festival originally scheduled for July 18–20.

In June, a petition was launched opposing Ye’s performance, labeling the rapper, formerly known as Kanye West, one of the world’s most notorious antisemites.

Petitioners cited his praise for Adolf Hitler and alleged hate speech. Last week, international media reported that Ye had lost his visa to Australia, where his wife Bianca Censori is from, after releasing a song that glorified Hitler.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, including external pressures and logistical challenges, we regret to inform you that Rubicon Festival will not take place this year,” the organizers wrote on Instagram. They added that ticket holders will receive refund instructions by email within two weeks.

Organizers promised more details about the festival last week but postponed the announcement. They had previously claimed the Bratislava show would be Ye’s only European performance in 2025.

Slovak media, however, recently questioned the event's viability, noting that no preparations had begun at the intended festival site—a field on the outskirts of the city where wheat was still growing.

On Wednesday, Slovak news outlet Closer reported that enforcement proceedings have been launched against the festival’s organizer, Company RV. The Czech company Pop Out Entertainment is reportedly seeking more than EUR 1.1 million (about CZK 27 million) in unpaid fees for services rendered.