The Salzburg Festival has abruptly terminated the contract of its drama director, Marina Davydova, citing breaches of contractual duties.

The decision was made due to her unauthorized involvement with a Berlin theater festival, which was neither reported nor approved by the festival's management.

Davydova, a Russian theater director who fled her home country following the invasion of Ukraine, had been in her role for just over a year.

Her tenure was marked by efforts to internationalize the festival's program, but it also faced internal challenges and disagreements over artistic direction.

The festival's leadership expressed regret over the situation, but the decision was approved by the board.

The impact of her departure on the upcoming 2025 program remains uncertain.