Russia and the Dublin Piano Competition

Sir, – The Dublin Piano Competition has cancelled its Russian competitors ("Dublin piano competition's move to ban Russian competitors faces criticism", News, March 11th).

Do these people know the histories and opinions of the pianists concerned? Our culture is obsessed with individual choice and a refusal to apply stereotypes. Until, it seems, we decide to tar entire nations with one brush. How ridiculous we are going to look in a few years. – Yours, etc,

KEVIN O’CONNELL,

Carlow.