An evening with Nadya Tolokonnikova of protest-art movement Pussy Riot

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Slavic, German & Eurasian Studies is hosting Russian musician, conceptual artist, political activist and founder of Pussy Riot, Nadya Tolokonnikova, at 6 p.m. April 4.

Tolokonnikova will hold a public dialogue on campus with Ani Kokobobo, professor of Russian studies and chair of the Slavic, German & Eurasian studies department. The dialogue will conclude with a short audience Q&A session.

The dialogue will address the history of Pussy Riot, the “Punk Prayer” song that launched the group into global prominence, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the recent death and funeral of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. These questions pave the way for a broader discussion of democracy, authoritarianism, freedom of expression, gender and the role of art as a form of protest in contemporary Russia, the U.S. and beyond.

This event is free but ticketed for KU faculty, staff, students and community members. Reserve tickets online for the event in Murphy Hall’s Swarthout Recital Hall. The dialogue will be simultaneously livestreamed but not recorded for subsequent viewing. Register for the livestream through Zoom.   

Audience members have the opportunity to submit questions online in advance for the speaker, and a few will be featured at the event.

This event is sponsored by the Department of Slavic, German & Eurasian Studies, Max Kade Center for German-American Studies, Office of Graduate Studies, Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, International Affairs, Center for Global & International Studies, The Kress Foundation Department of Art History, Department of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging and the U.S. Russia Foundation.

About the artist

Conceptual artist and activist Nadya Tolokonnikova is the creator of Pussy Riot, a global feminist protest-art movement. In 2012, Pussy Riot performed the song “Punk Prayer” in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior, opposing the reelection of Vladimir Putin to the Russian presidency. The performance and the group’s subsequent arrest and show trail brought Pussy Riot a global following.

Tolokonnikova was sentenced to two years' imprisonment following the performance. While in prison, Tolokonnikova went on a hunger strike raising awareness for the inhumane prison conditions in Russia. Since her release, she has continued to engage in guerrilla performances condemning political repression in Putin’s Russia and the war in Ukraine. 

Along with other Pussy Riot group members, Tolokonnikova co-founded Mediazona, an independent Russian news outlet. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, she raised $7 million in aid for Ukraine through cryptocurrency.

Alongside her political activism, Tolokonnikova is also an award-winning artist. She has performed at major music festivals and events worldwide. "Punk Prayer" was named by The Guardian among the best art pieces of the 21st century, and she's released music with the likes of Big Freedia, Tom Morello, MARINA, Boys Noize and Tove Lo. 

Tolokonnikova curated an immersive experience at Saatchi and an auction at Sotheby's. She put on an installation, “Putin's Ashes,” at the Deitch Gallery in January 2023. She has also published two books: “How to Start a Revolution” (Penguin, 2016) and “Read & Riot: A Pussy Riot Guide to Activism” (Harper Collins, 2018).

In March 2023 the Russian government put Tolokonnikova on their wanted list.