The State of the World - Pussy Riot: Maria Alyokhina
In The State of the World, international speakers shine their light on issues currently affecting the world. The new annual tradition at the Nederlands Theater Festival will be kicked off this year by none other than Pussy Riot leader and activist Maria Alyokhina (33), who fled Russia earlier this year.
Festival Nederlands Theater Festival
Run time 60 minutes
Genre Perspective
Taal English
The State of the World
What role can Dutch artists play to stand together with fellow human beings in need, both in Ukraine and in Russia? What responsibility can the Netherlands take? What should we do at this moment?
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In The State of the World, an authoritative international speaker reflects on the social role of the performing arts. This makes The State of the World a relevant supplement to the annual State of the Theatre, the opening speech of the Netherlands Theatre Festival, in which someone from the sector itself reflects on current developments within and outside the theatre sector.
About Maria Alyokhina
Following the Russian performance band Pussy Riot's controversial performance in a Moscow cathedral in 2012 - in which they called on the Virgin Mary to oust Putin, among others - Maria Alyokhina was imprisoned in a Russian penal colony for two years. The Russian authorities placed several members of Pussy Riot on a list of so-called foreign agents to intimidate them and limit their influence. Alyokhina had earlier called for demonstrations against the imprisonment of Alexei Navalni. Shortly afterwards she went on hunger strike. Since last summer, she has been imprisoned six more times. Earlier this year, Alyokhina managed to flee Russia. Disguised as a meal deliverer, the political activist, who is on Putin's black list, crossed the border into Lithuania: earlier she was told that her house arrest would be converted into detention in a penal colony.
Pussy Riot
More than a punk band, Pussy Riot presents itself as a radical movement. The art collective is known as feminist, pro-lhbti and anti-Putin. This summer, Pussy Riot is touring Europe from Lithuania. Because of the war in Ukraine, the tour, an electronic rock opera based on the book Riot Days, which Alyokhina wrote about her experiences in a Russian prison camp, has been renamed the 'anti-war tour'.
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During The State of the World, Alyokhina will be interviewed by Mounir Samuel: political scientist, multiple award-winning journalist, author of twelve books, performance artist and cultural entrepreneur who works on the dividing lines of politics, media, art and culture.
About NTF Pro
The State of the World is part of NTF PRO. The programme of the Nederlands Theater Festival for professionals from the cultural sector. Follow workshops, master classes and discussions on current themes and forgotten histories.