Russian Artistic Resistance Against the War in Ukraine: actions and consequences
Сергей Бондарев/ Sergei Bondarev
12. Juni 2024 – 16:00 Uhr – Raum N.0.18
The artistic reaction to the war in Ukraine was polarizing in Russia – not at the very beginning, but even throughout the war. Some of the Russian artists and public figures supported the war, advancing their own career with increased state support, with access to resources and nationalistic endorsements at the highest ethical cost possible. But we’ll talk about the courageous responses of Russian cultural figures to the war in Ukraine, their bold actions, the severe repercussions they faced and still facing, and their influence on both domestic and international perspectives.
In the context of the war in Ukraine, the Russian government has employed a range of policies and mechanisms that significantly impact the country’s cultural sphere. It included direct financial incentives, legal repercussions, public endorsements or condemnations, and control over media narratives. Each of these levers has been used to either reward compliance or penalize dissent among artists and cultural figures.
But many celebrities used their platforms to foster change, displaying the resilience in the face of adversity, and – met the consequences of their actions for Russian society and the international artistic community.
Some (but not all) key characters:
- Dmitry Glukhovsky, a Russian writer. Faced legal challenges and professional backlash, leading to life in exile.
Chulpan Khamatova, Liya Akhedzhakova, Artur Smolyaninov and Anatoly Bely, Russian actors. Publicly denounced the war with a heavy backlash, embracing a global shift in his succesful career and residency outside of Russia,
- Maxim Galkin, Denis Chuzhoy, Sasha Dolgopolov, comedians. Their outspokenness resulted in „foreign agent“-label, marking career obstacles in Russia and forcing them to continue working abroad.
- Andrey Makarevich, Boris Grebenshikov, BI-2 and Nogu Svelo, rock bands and musicians. All used their widest fanbases possible to speak openly against the war, affecting their performances and public appearances in Russia.
- Alla Pugacheva, the diva: The legendary singer, who outlived almost all country leaders over the course of 50 year career, held a silent protest against the war, never risking her iconic status and facing intense scrutiny and personal risk.
- Oxxxymiron and Monetochka, popular singers. Both were banned from concert activity as the war started, using their popularity for political activism and their music to express dissent against the artistic restrictions.
The stories above will contrast to the lives of artists who openly supported the war, to highlight the stark differences in choices and consequences: Nastya Ivleeva, Irina Gorbacheva, Filipp Kirkorov, Nikolai Rastorguev, Grigoriy Leps and, of course, Nikita Mikhalkov. And, of course, we’ll cover the non-ending persecution of the artists, imprisoned for their anti-war stance: Evgeniya Berkovich, Sasha Skochilenko and Svetlana Petriychuk among many others.
Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84659768277?pwd=Aa6cIvg3TrNqTpbbtSTmEm1bcAfnXW.1
Meeting-ID: 846 5976 8277
Kenncode: 388372
