"Push for Change Against Apathy": Pussy Riot's Challenge to Russia's Authorities

Pussy Riot, the renowned feminist performance art group, gained international attention in 2012 for their public performances challenging the re-election of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the corruption within the Russian Orthodox Church. Two members, Masha Alyokhina and Nadya Tolokonnikova, were sentenced to two years in prison following their performances, attracting worldwide criticism.

Since their release in 2013, Alyokhina and fellow original member Diana Burkot have been touring the world with an adaptation of Alyokhina's autobiography, Riot Days, for the past year. The performance piece, which is part of The Drop Out: Tell Them I Said No at E-WERK Luckenwalde on May 4, 9:45 - 10:45pm, is a combination of multiple genres and art forms, not a concert, theatre, or spoken word.

Alyokhina and Burkot view punk as a way of life and consider Pussy Riot a feminist, political art group. Their message is that everyone has the chance to make tough choices in their life and that it's not necessary to be born in a country where it's clear who is bad and who is good. This message is particularly relevant as Alyokhina left Russia for good after facing an additional 21 days in a penal colony and facing multiple shorter terms in prison following their initial sentences.

Alyokhina describes Russia as a "totalitarian hell" and believes Putin's goal is to rebuild the Soviet Union, finding new ways to occupy countries like Belarus. She left Russia to help Ukraine, a country fighting against an authoritarian dictatorship. Alyokhina's friend lost two men in her family from fighting in the army in Ukraine, and a member of Pussy Riot, Pyotr Verzilov, is fighting for the Ukrainian army.

Pussy Riot has collected more than €100,000 for the Ukrainian Children's Hospital, demonstrating their commitment to helping those in need. Half of the profits from the merchandise sold during their show will be donated to the Ukrainian Children's Hospital.

Pussy Riot's outspoken criticism of the Russian Orthodox Church and its leader, Patriarch Kirill, is tied to the harsh treatment they received from the Russian government. Patriarch Kirill is one of the wealthiest people in the world and uses the church to make money from selling alcohol and cigarettes, a contradiction to Christian values according to Pussy Riot. The Russian Orthodox Church is also calling for Russians to have more children and to support the war effort, a position that Pussy Riot finds contrary to Christian values.

Amnesty International designated Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova as prisoners of conscience, highlighting the unjust treatment they faced from the Russian government. Despite Putin's recent election for a fifth term as Russian President, Alyokhina and Burkot continue to use their platform to bring attention to political prisoners in Russia, including Alexei Moskalev.

Diana Burkot believes her collaboration with the Hip Hop Academy in Hamburg was cancelled due to Russian propaganda and the influence of the Russian-speaking community. This censorship is indicative of the challenges faced by feminist and activist collectives in Russia, where feminism and LGBTQ+ are considered extremist movements.

Masha Alyokhina decided to adapt her book Riot Days onto the stage due to encouragement from a friend and co-producer of the show, Sasha Cheparukhin. The show is a powerful testament to Alyokhina's resilience and commitment to fighting for freedom and justice, a message that resonates with audiences around the world.

"Push for Change Against Apathy": Pussy Riot's Challenge to Russia's Authorities