On Saturday evening, May 23, Belarusian singer Maks Korzh held a massive concert at Bucharest’s National Arena (Arena Națională), gathering more than 40,000 spectators from over 50 countries. The show took place under heightened security measures, with law enforcement using a helicopter, drones, and biometric scanners for monitoring.
According to Romanian media outlets, including B365.ro and Antena 3 CNN, the concert was accompanied not only by high energy, but also by serious online disinformation campaigns.
Disinformation Attack Before the Show
Even before the stadium opened its doors to fans, a large-scale wave of fake reports began spreading around the event. Romania’s national news agency AGERPRES reported that on Saturday afternoon, at 15:34, the country’s General Gendarmerie was forced to issue an urgent official warning about a disinformation campaign.
Videos of clashes and riots began circulating on social media, falsely presented as “events surrounding Korzh’s concert in Bucharest.” In reality, law enforcement later established that the footage had been filmed during a football match in France.
“These materials are being distributed in a false context in order to create confusion and panic. We ask citizens to verify information sources and rely only on official information, since such disinformation increases unnecessary tension in the public space,” the Romanian Gendarmerie stated.
Heightened Security and Biometrics
Given the experience of the performer’s previous stadium shows in Europe, Romanian authorities declared a high level of preparedness. Romanian Gendarmerie spokesperson Ana Maria Burcă stated that all necessary security measures had been implemented around the stadium.
Mounted gendarmerie patrols and canine units with specially trained dogs to detect explosives and prohibited substances were deployed at the site. Technical systems for biometric data scanning were installed at checkpoints, while drones and a helicopter monitored the situation from the air.
Stage Prop Incident
Ultimately, the event passed without major disturbances, although there was one incident. During the performance, one of the planned pyrotechnic effects went out of control, causing part of the artist’s stage props to catch fire. Firefighters from the ISU-BIF brigade stationed at Arena Națională immediately extinguished the flames using fire extinguishers. Spectators were not endangered, and the concert continued.
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Official Medical Report
Emergency services reported that by 20:00, 15 requests for medical assistance had been recorded at the stadium. Patients were treated for minor scratches and complaints of leg pain after active moshing. No one required hospitalization.
“Most interventions were related to dizziness and fainting due to the heat, as well as minor scratches and complaints of leg pain after active moshing,” rescuers said.
Support for Ukraine
Thousands of videos under the hashtag #maxkorzh are currently going viral on TikTok and Instagram, with fans sharing their excitement over the intense energy and collective atmosphere of the night. The show was also remembered for a moment when the audience began chanting “Ukraine! Ukraine!” for several minutes.
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